More than 32,000 students in Indiana received vouchers to attend private schools last school year, up 12 percent from the previous year, according to data released today by the Indiana Department of Education.
And while local parochial schools are receiving money from the state to educate students who receive vouchers, area public schools are losing substantial funding, including South Bend Community School Corp., which lost $10.4 million last year, according to the new report.
A total of 32,686 Indiana students participated last year in the Choice Scholarships program, which began in 2011. The program allows state education dollars to follow students to participating private schools, most of which are governed by religious organizations. Voucher advocates say families have the right to have state education dollars spent at the schools of their choosing, even if those schools are private and religion-based.
In the program's first year, 3,911 students received vouchers and 241 schools participated.
During 2015, 32,686 students and 316 schools participated.
The state spent $15 million on vouchers in 2011-2012. By 2015-2016, the total had grown to $132 million.
In St. Joseph County, 2,858 students received vouchers in 2015-2016.