2015 Legislative Round-up
Posted on May 08, 2015 by
Mark Muehl
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News and Events,
School Choice
Partners in advocacy advance our missionIt was a strong legislative session in support of Hoosier kids this year, and we're thrilled that our representatives and senators listened--and responded--to nonpublic school concerns. Here's a check list of accomplishments this year: Removed artificial cap of $4,800 on Choice Scholarships for elementary students (there remains a cap of 90 percent of the per-student state funding for the student's school corporation of residence). √ Scholarship-granting organization (SGO) tax credits bumped to $8.5 million next year, and $9.5 million the next. √ Grants for nonpublic schools to pay for formative assessments such as the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) and Dibels (ask your kindergarten teacher about Dibels). √ Increased funding for special-education Choice Scholarships. √ A committee to study state reporting on schools. √ A study group to look at alternatives to ISTEP testing, √ In addition, The Lutheran Schools Partnership was commended by the Friedman Foundation, not only for the success of our first School Choice Rally, but also for our overall efforts to voice the needs and opinions of our school families (not an easy task for us quiet Lutherans). Jon Dize and I even enjoyed face-to-face visits with key legislators. But much of the thanks for this year's successes go out for the continued support we've received from the Indiana Non-Public School Association (INPEA).