By ZECHARIAH YODER
Guest Columnist
One need not look far to discover the tumultuous climate of public education in America.
Parents across the nation have become increasingly concerned about the content and control of their children’s education. Despite the constitutional right for parents to direct the upbringing of their children, one prominent politician recently stated, “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.”
One might be surprised to learn, however, that Indiana offers one of the most robust school choice programs in the country. If you are concerned about losing control over your child’s education, private schooling is a valuable alternative, and it may be more affordable than you think.
The Indiana Choice Scholarship Program was enacted in 2011 with the goal of providing quality education to children from low and middle-income families. Under the Scholarship Program, the Indiana Department of Education provides scholarships to families with eligible students to attend private schools of their choosing. Since its inception, participation in the Scholarship Program has grown dramatically from 3,911 students in 2011-2012 to nearly 36,000 students in the 2020-2021 school year. Despite its dramatic growth, income limitations prevented many middle-class families from participation. However, in April of 2021, the General Assembly approved a historic expansion of the Program, offering educational freedom to thousands more Indiana families. Under the expanded program, a student in a family of four with a household income up to $147,075 would be entitled to a Choice Scholarship of 90 percent of the per-student funding formula for the student’s school of residence.
Such a scholarship translates to between $5,200 and $6,500 per year, depending on the student’s home school district. Although additional criteria must be met to qualify for a Choice Scholarship, the Indiana Legislature provided numerous avenues for qualification. For example, a student between the ages of 5 and 22 is eligible for a Choice Scholarship if the student was enrolled in an Indiana public school, including a charter school, for at least two semesters immediately preceding the semester in which the student is seeking a Choice Scholarship.
Further, the Scholarship Program places minimal requirements on participating schools. Therefore, private schools are given discretion in the development and implementation of curricula, and parents are afforded freedom in selecting the school that best meets their children’s educational and philosophical objectives.
As parents, we have no greater asset than our children. The investment in our children begins with a commitment to their education. In a time of educational chaos, the Choice Scholarship Program offers parents control.
Although November is here, parents can still apply for a Choice Scholarship for the upcoming semester. Resources are available at in.gov by searching Indiana Choice Scholarship Program. Additional resources and assistance may also be available by speaking with a representative from the participating school of your choosing.
Zechariah Yoder is an attorney at Adler Attorneys at 136 S. 9th Street, Noblesville. He focuses his practice on Appellate Law.