If the past election season accomplished one thing, it’s been to focus discussion on Indiana schools. For too many years, those talks took place behind closed doors.
The largest voucher program in the nation was put in place with little debate. Reasonable limits on public charter school growth were quietly lifted and voucher eligibility was expanded. Voters never asked for an A-to-F school-grading system, but they got one.
With voucher numbers escalating, an accounting of their effectiveness and their effect on public schools should be required.
Figures released recently by Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, show the number of voucher students this fall increased more than 47 percent, from 19,809 to 29,146.
“If we continue to see this kind of explosive growth in vouchers over the next few years, how is that going to help make our public schools whole again?” asked Porter, ranking minority member on the House Ways and Means Committee. “If more funding is provided for education, how much will have to be siphoned off to pay for vouchers?”
That question surely is nagging at the General Assembly’s majority party, as well. The House GOP caucus listed school funding as a top legislative priority for the 2015 session, although no details of its plan were released. Republican lawmakers in closely contested races campaigned as public education supporters, including those who eagerly supported voucher expansion measures. They base their support on the fact that vouchers “save” money for public schools because the voucher award is less than the per-pupil tuition support for public schools.