2012 September School Reform News

The September issue of School Reform News reports more than 10,000 students applied to attend private schools this fall under Louisiana’s statewide voucher program, five times more than State Superintendent John White anticipated. Kevin Kane, president of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, wasn’t caught off guard: “It comes as no surprise so many families are seeking out better alternatives for their children,” he said.

Also in this issue:

• A judge has ruled in favor of parents hoping to take over low-performing Desert Trails Elementary in Adelanto, California under the state’s Parent Trigger law.

• Thirty-two states find their education policies subject to Obama administration review after receiving waivers of No Child Left Behind.

• New Hampshire’s legislature overwhelmingly overrides the governor’s veto, thus establishing the state’s first tax credit scholarships.

• A new poll finds Latino voters more concerned about education than immigration policy.

• Indiana’s year-old voucher program is wildly popular.

• Increasing education spending bears no statistical relationship to academic improvement, writes Victor Joecks.

• With the freedom of charter schooling, education entrepreneurs are bringing rich literacy to poor families.