Ohhh...We're Halfway There!

While most of the nation is focused on staying cool during a recording-setting heat wave, the weather isn’t the only place where records are being set.  This week marks the halfway point of the year, and it's been school choice success after success so far in 2012.

Already this year, there have been four new programs enacted in Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and New Hampshire—making for 31 programs nationwide, to anyone who is counting. That brings the total number of voucher programs to 16 and scholarship tax credit programs to 13. 

In fact, check out the 2012 Breakthrough Victories for Children handout, which updates the 2011-12 School Choice Yearbook published earlier this year by the Alliance for School Choice.  But in the meantime, here are some significant and fun facts on the momentum of school choice:

• Four new programs have been created in Louisiana, New Hampshire, Mississippi, and Virginia in 2012. 
• Five programs have been expanded in four states in 2012—Arizona expanded both its Individual School Tuition Organization Tax Credit and its Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program.
• Three states—the most in any year so far—have joined the family of states providing private school choice.
• Thanks to the statewide expansion of Louisiana’s Student Scholarships for Excellence Program, 380,000 children are eligible under the program.
• School choice has seen a 98.3 percent growth in number of programs in last five years and a 63.6 percent increase in the number of states offering such programs.
• In the 2011-12 legislation session, 35 chambers in 19 states passed private school choice legislation.  That’s a 40 percent increase in the number of chambers and a 35.7 percent increase in the number of states since the 2009-10 legislative session.
• Nearly one-third of states (32 percent) have enacted private school choice programs.
• Mississippi and Ohio are the only two states that have voucher programs for specific special needs—dyslexia and autism respectively.  Across the nation there are 11 programs specifically tailored for students with special needs.
• With future enrollment caps due to be lifted in places like Indiana and Racine, Wis., and with statewide expansions like in Louisiana, one million children could be eligible to participate in private school choice programs in the next few years.

Download our Yearbook and the corresponding update sheet for all the numbers.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

Data Snapshot: Pennsylvania

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we'll spend the next few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains.

Pennsylvania has one scholarship tax credit program that serves more than 40,000 students.

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 1
• Total Number of Students: 40,879
• Total Number of Participating Schools: Not Available
• Total Expenditures: $48,242,880

Educational Improvement Tax Credit

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 40,879
• Schools Participating: Not Available
• STOs Operating: 234
• 2011 Expenditures: $48,242,880

    Growth in Student Participation

2012 Outlook

Pennsylvania is on the cusp of enacting strong school choice legislation.  Last session, the Senate passed legislation expanding the state’s scholarship tax credit program and enacting opportunity scholarships for students from low-income families that are stuck in failing schools.  Governor Corbett is committed to making school choice a legislative priority and the state’s legislature will continue to debate school choice in 2012.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

Data Snapshot: Rhode Island and Iowa

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we've spent the past few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains. Our final two entries, examining Rhode Island and Iowa, are below.

Rhode Island

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 1
• Total Number of Students: 341
• Total Number of Participating Schools: 55
• Total Expenditures: $592,015

Rhode Island Corporate Scholarship Tax Credit

A corporate scholarship tax credit program that allows corporations to donate to nonprofit organizations that send students from low-income families to the school of their parents’ choice.  The program gives a 75 percent tax credit or one-year donations and a 90 percent tax credit for two-year donations.

    Growth in Student Participation

Iowa

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 1
• Total Number of Students: 10,820
• Total Number of Participating Schools: 158
• Total Expenditures: $11,538,448

Individual and Corporate School Tuition Organization Tax Credit

This program was expanded in 2011 by increasing the statewide cap on donations from individuals and corporations to $8.75 million in 2012, allowing even more students to receive scholarships.

    Growth in Student Participation

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

Data Snapshot: Washington, D.C.

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we'll spend the next few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains.

Perhaps in the most significant 2011 school choice victory, the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program was strengthened and restored thanks to the bipartisan leadership of Speaker John Boehner and Senator Joe Lieberman.  In fact, the program grew by more than 60 percent thanks to reauthorization.

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 1
• Total Number of Students: 1,615
• Total Number of Participating Schools: 53
• Total Expenditures: $13,697,550

D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 1,615
• Schools Participating: 53
• 2011 Expenditures: $13,697,550

    Growth in Student Participation

2012 Outlook

While the program has been authorized for $20 million over five years, the program needs to get appropriated for each year.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

Data Snapshot: Ohio

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we'll spend the next few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains.

In 2011, Ohio expanded two of its voucher programs and created a new voucher program for students with special needs, bringing the total number of school choice programs to four.  The Ohio budget, signed by Governor John Kasich, quadrupled the number of students that can participate in the EdChoice Program, increased the size of voucher scholarships in the Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program, and created the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship.

2011 Results

•  Number of School Choice Programs: 4
• Total Number of Students: 23,975
• Total Number of Participating Schools: 594
• Total Expenditures: $122,600,000

Cleveland Scholarship and Tutoring Program

A means-preferenced voucher program that serves students living in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.  Expansion in 2011 brought the scholarship amounts up to $4,250 for students in grades K-8 and $5,000 for students in grades 9-12.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 5,603
• Schools Participating: 36
• 2011 Expenditures: $21,000,000

    Growth in Student Participation

Autism Scholarship Program

This voucher program for autistic students is now one of two voucher programs in the state tailored to students with special needs.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 2,236
• Schools Participating: 248
• 2011 Expenditures: $42,600,000

    Growth in Student Participation

Educational Choice Scholarship Program

The 2011 expansion to the EdChoice Program, a failing schools voucher, increases the number of scholarships available to 30,000 in the 2011-12 school year and 60,000 in the 2012-13 school year.  In addition, student eligibility was expanded to include a second definition of low-rated schools.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 16,136
• Schools Participating: 310
• 2011 Expenditures: $59,000,000

    Growth in Student Participation

Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program

Created in 2011 and named after education reform advocate and former Ohio legislator Jon Peterson, this program will allow students with special needs to attend the school of their parents’ choice.  The program is slated to begin in the 2012-12 school year.

2012 Outlook

Ohio will have four active voucher program in 2012 with the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program expected to begin in the fall.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

Data Snapshot: Oklahoma

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we'll spend the next few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains.

Oklahoma expanded its special needs voucher program in 2011 and created the state’s first scholarship tax credit program for corporate and individual donors.

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 2
• Total Number of Students: 160*
• Total Number of Participating Schools: 40*

*Data only available for the voucher program, as the scholarship tax credit program has not yet begun.

Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program

This program was expanded in 2011 to require students to have an Individualized Education Plan to be in effect at the time of the scholarship request.  In addition, the program now waives the prior year public school attendance for military families.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 160
• Schools Participating: 40
• 2011 Expenditures: $1,000,000

    Growth in Student Participation

Equal Opportunity Education Scholarships

Created in 2011, this corporate and individual scholarship tax credit program allows students from low-income families or children with special needs to receive a scholarship through an SGO to attend the school of their parents’ choice.  The program is set to begin in the 2012-13 school year

2012 Outlook

Corporations and individuals can begin donating to scholarship granting organizations to begin the Equal Opportunity Education Scholarships.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

Data Snapshot: Wisconsin

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we'll spend the next few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains.

The Badger State had two victories in 2011, a major contributor to making “The Year of School Choice” such a success.  Not only did Wisconsin expand the longest running school choice program in the nation, but it created a second voucher program modeled after its Milwaukee Program.

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 2
•  Total Number of Students: 23,426
• Total Number of Participating Schools: 114

Milwaukee Parental Choice Program

The nation’s longest running voucher program, this program began in 1990!  It’s been expanded and strengthened over the years—and 2011 was no different.  In the biennial budget, signed by Governor Scott Walker, the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program was expanded by

• Removing the cap on the number of student participants
• Permitting schools across the state to accept program participants
• Expanding the program to benefit children from middle-class families
• Ensuring that participating families can remain in the program regardless of future income growth

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 23,198
• Schools Participating: 106
• 2011 Expenditures: $144,300,800

    Growth in Student Participation

Racine Parental Choice Program

Wisconsin’s newly created voucher program, the Racine Parental Choice Program is modeled off the highly successful Milwaukee Program.  This program allows students living in the Racine Unified School District to attend the school of their parents’ choice.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 228
• Schools Participating: 8
• 2011 Expenditures: $1,546,100

    Growth in Student Participation

2012 Outlook

Wisconsin is still fighting to create even more options for students.  In 2012, we can expect to see movement on a special needs voucher program and voucher expansion to Green Bay.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

Data Snapshot: Florida

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we'll spend the next few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains.

Florida expanded both its private school choice programs in 2011, continuing its trend of being the leader on education reform.  The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship to allow companies to redirect 100 percent of their tax liabilities to Student Funding Organizations.  In addition, insurance companies can contribute up to 100 percent of their insurance premium liability.  Student eligibility was expanded under the John M. McKay Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program to include students who have an accommodation plan under the federal Rehabilitation Act.

And with these changes come the results:

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 2
• Total Number of Students: 60,859
•  Total Number of Participating Schools: 2230
• Total Expenditures: $323,849,829

John M. McKay Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program

The nation’s longest running special needs voucher program that began with two students in 1999 and has grown to more than 22,000 participating students this year.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 22,861
• Schools Participating: 1,050
• 2011 Expenditures: $148,849,829

    Growth in Student Participation

Florida Tax Credit Scholarship

This tax credit scholarship program is the most accountable scholarship tax credit program in the nation, meeting 10 of 10 accountability standards! And this program is growing each year, both in terms of student enrollment and the statewide cap on how much corporations can donate.  Now that’s getting in the business of education reform!

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 37,998
• Schools Participating: 1,180
• SFOs Operating: 1
• 2011 Expenditures: $175,000,000

    Growth in Student Participation

2012 Outlook

The Sunshine State’s scholarship tax credit statewide cap on donations will increase to $218,700,000—a good thing since donors reached the cap of $175,000,000 this year.  In addition, the legislature is considering some adjustments to the program that will allow more businesses to donate more of their tax liability.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

Data Snapshot: North Carolina

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we'll spend the next few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains.

In 2011, North Carolina created its first private school choice option for families living in the Tar Heel State with the creation of the Tax Credits for Children with Disabilities.  An Individual Tuition Tax Credit of significant size, this option will allow parents of special needs students to receive a state income tax credit of up to $6,000 for educational expenses, including private school tuition. 

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 1

Tax Credits for Children with Disabilities

An individual tuition tax credit for children with disabilities created in 2011.

2012 Outlook

North Carolina is looking to create even more school choice options in 2012 for students with special needs and children from low-income families.  With bipartisan support, we should expect to see some real educational options in the Tar Heel State.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

Data Snapshot: Arizona

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we'll spend the next few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains.

Thanks to the hard work of Arizona’s elected officials and tireless advocates, Arizona is now one to two states that can boast FOUR school choice programs.  And it’s home to the nation’s first and only Education Savings Account Program!

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 4
• Total Number of Students: 30,178
• Total Number of Participating Schools: 2,600
• Total Expenditures: $58,362,748

Individual School Tuition Organization Tax Credit

An individual scholarship tax credit created in 1997.

    2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 25,343
• Schools Participating: 911
• STOs Operating: 49
• 2011 Expenditures: $47,105,564

    Growth in Student Participation

    

Corporate School Tuition Organization Tax Credit

Enacted in 2006, this scholarship tax credit program provides tax credits to businesses that donate money for scholarships.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 4,578
• Schools Participating: 342
• STOs Operating: 17
• 2011 Expenditures: $9,189,905

    Growth in Student Participation

Lexie’s Law

A corporate scholarship tax credit program for students with disabilities and foster care children.  This program was originally a voucher program and transitioned into a scholarship tax credit program in 2009.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 115
• Schools Participating: 47
• STOs Operating: 5
• 2011 Expenditures: $561,029

    Growth in Student Participation

    

Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program

A NEW type of school choice program created in 2011, this program allows parents of children with special needs to receive an account where parents can spend their child’s education dollars on a variety of options including tuition, books, tutoring, and educational therapies.  In January, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge upheld the program, letting hundreds of families remain in the program.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 142
• 2011 Expenditures: $1,506,250

    Growth in Student Participation

    

2012 Outlook

Arizona is looking to strengthen and expand its existing scholarship tax credit programs and to continue to protect the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program as special interests continue to attempt to disband the program.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

Data Snapshot: Utah

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we'll spend the next few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains.

Utah strengthened its special needs voucher program by increasing funding, allowing more children with special needs to access the program.  Enacted in 2005, the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship enables students identified as disabled and who have an Individualized Education Program to access a scholarship to attend the private school of their parents’ choice.

2011 Results

•  Number of School Choice Programs: 1
• Total Number of Students: 635
• Total Number of Participating Schools: 40
•  Total Expenditures: $3,734,000

    Student Participation

2012 Outlook

The Beehive State is ready to accept more students with the increased funding of more than half a million dollars annually.  And that’s not all, Senator Adams is looking to expand funding to allow even more students to access the program!

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

Data Snapshot: Georgia

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we'll spend the next few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains.

The Peach State strengthened and expanded its scholarship tax credit program, which provides scholarships for more than 8,000 students.  The bipartisan legislation allows students entering first grade to participate in the program, increases the program’s transparency and accountability, and expands the time that donors can make contributions.  Speaking of contributions, the program also reached an historic landmark in 2011.  For the first time in the program’s four-year history, donations from individuals and businesses reached the statewide cap of $50 million!

In addition, Georgia has a special needs scholarship program that helps almost 3,000 students attend the school of their parents’ choice.

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 2
• Total Number of Students: 11,096
• Total Number of Participating Schools: 204*
• Total Expenditures: $66,219,797

*Data only available for Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program

Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program

A voucher program that grants scholarships to special needs students to attend the private school of their parents’ choice. 

    2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 2,965
• Schools Participating: 204
• 2011 Expenditures: $16,219,797

    Growth in Student Participation

Georgia Scholarship Tax Credit Program

Enacted in 2008, this scholarship tax credit program provides tax credits to individuals and businesses that donate money for scholarships.  The program reached the statewide cap of $50 million in donations in 2011.  The program was expanded to allow students entering first grade to participate, increase accountability standards, and expand the donation window.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• Scholarships Awarded: 8,131
• Schools Participating: Not Available
• SSOs Operating: 39
• 2011 Expenditures: $50,000,000

    Growth in Student Participation

2012 Outlook

Georgia has big plans in 2012.  The legislature is working to amend the state constitution after the state Supreme Court ruled against the Georgia Charter Schools Commission, essentially closing the state’s charter schools that provide choice to thousands of Peach State families.  In the private school choice world, legislators are introducing a new statewide voucher program for low- and middle-income students, as well as continuing to strengthen and expand its two existing school choice programs.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

Data Snapshot: Indiana

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we'll spend the next few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains. Last week we told you what was happening in the Bayou State, and today we have the data snapshot of school choice in Indiana.

The Hoosier State had a GREAT year in school choice, expanding its scholarship tax credit program and creating the nation’s broadest voucher program. Take a look

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 2
• Total Number of Students: 4,509
•  Total Number of Participating Schools: 241*
• Total Expenditures: $814,106*

*Data not available for both programs

Choice Scholarship Program

A means-test voucher program that grants scholarships to students from low- and middle-income families to attend the private school of their parents’ choice.  This program was enacted in 2011 and had the most participants in its first year than any other program.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• ·   Scholarships Awarded: 3,919
• ·   Schools Participating: 241
• ·   2011 Expenditures: Not Available

q                Growth in Student Participation

       

f                 

f

Corporate and Individual Scholarship Tax Credit Program

Enacted in 2009, this scholarship tax credit program provides tax credits to individuals and businesses that donate money for scholarships.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

• ·   Scholarships Awarded: 590
• ·   Schools Participating: Not Available
• ·   2011 Expenditures: $814,106

f                Growth in Student Participation

      

f                

2012 Outlook

The Choice Scholarship Program’s student enrollment cap is increased to allow 15,000 students in the 2012-13 school year, allowing even more students to access the school of their parents’ choice.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

Data Snapshot: Louisiana

With the release of the Alliance for School Choice's School Choice Yearbook 2011-12 (available for download here), we'll spend the next few days on School Choice Now! highlighting some of the new data and research it contains. The first in that series is a data snapshot of school choice in Louisiana.

Here are the new numbers in the Bayou State:

2011 Results

• Number of School Choice Programs: 2
• Total Number of Students: 2,034
• Total Number of Participating Schools: 51
• Total Expenditures: $9,389,444

Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program

Both a means-test and failing schools voucher, this program grants scholarships to students living in Orleans Parish to attend the private school of their choice.

2011-12 School Year Data Update

·         Scholarships Awarded: 1,848

·         Schools Participating: 29

·         2011 Expenditures: $8,988,817

Growth in Student Participation

      

School Choice Pilot Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities

Enacted in 2010, this voucher program designed for students with special needs granted scholarships to 186 students the 2011-12 school year.

2012 Outlook

Governor Jindal announced his education reform package this year that includes expansion of the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program statewide to students from low-income families that attend failing schools.

- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG

You're Invited! "The Results of 2011, The Promise of 2012" - Thursday, Jan. 26, 1 p.m.

On behalf of the Alliance for School Choice, we here at School Choice Now! want to make sure you're aware of a free event we're hosting this Thursday, January 26 at 1 p.m. in Washington, D.C.

In conjunction with National School Choice Week, we're excited to let you know that we'll be unveiling our School Choice Yearbook 2011-12, the sixth edition of our award-winning publication, at an event titled "The Result of 2011, The Promise of 2012," cohosted by the Fordham Institute and the Institute for Justice. In addition to the first look at cutting-edge data from our new Yearbook, you'll hear from families who have benefited from the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program here in Washington. The details are below:

The event is free and open to the public, and lunch will be provided! Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP at www.SchoolChoice2012.com. We hope you'll be able to make it, and we encourage you to tell your friends to join us as well. Click here to read the press release we sent out about the event last week -- and feel free to send that along to your friends, too. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions, and we hope to see you Thursday!

- American Federation | Alliance for School Choice, MAG