Local parents and families interested in exploring educational options for their children will have an opportunity to learn more about the state’s school voucher program, tax credit scholarships, tax deductions, and other forms of school choice during an informational session hosted by School Choice Indiana representatives at Kingsway Christian School at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The meeting will provide interested parents with information on the school voucher program eligibility requirements, steps in the application process, and a list of schools participating in the program. Five schools in Hendricks County are currently accepting voucher students.
The informational session will also cover other programs such as the scholarship tax credit program, another type of scholarship program to attend private schools. School Choice Indiana representatives will also have information on charter and other public school options in the area.
“We are thrilled that low- and middle-income families across Indiana now have an opportunity to choose a school that meets their children’s unique learning needs,” Lindsey Brown, executive director of School Choice Indiana, said in a press release. “We expect more local families to take advantage of these programs in the 2012-13 school year and we are happy to assist them with more information on their options. At the end of the day, we just believe that Hoosier families should be able to make the choice, and their children’s success shouldn’t be determined by the zip code they live in.”
In addition to parent information sessions hosted in communities across the state, School Choice Indiana operates the MyChoiceInEd.com website that provides information about the voucher program and other school options. Interested parents can use the website to find out if they are eligible and see a list of participating schools.
The amount of the voucher depends on the family’s income. Students qualifying for the federal free and reduced lunch program ($42,643 for a family of four) are eligible for a voucher worth up to 90 percent of the state tuition amount for the school district of residence. Children from families who earn up to 150 percent of the free and reduced lunch eligibility (around $63,964 for a family of four) can receive a scholarship for up to 50 percent of the state tuition amount. Nearly 85 percent of voucher recipients in the 2011-12 school year were on the free and reduced lunch program. Children in grades two through 12 must have also previously attended a public school for two semesters to qualify.
In the 2011-12 school year, the participation was capped at 7,500 students. This year, the program is open to 15,000 Hoosier students.
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