Louisiana became the latest state to introduce school choice legislation on Wednesday, allowing parents to use public funds to support their children’s education, either at public or private schools.
Gov. Jeff Landry (R-La.), who took office in January, signed Senate Bill 313 into law on June 19. He hailed the measure as fulfilling a campaign promise to reform the state’s education system and said it would “bring common sense back to our classrooms.”
The legislation formed part of a package of education bills signed by the governor, dubbed the “Dream Big Package.” His office described the measures as being designed to prioritize learning, reduce bureaucracy, and return to fundamental educational values. The centerpiece is the Louisiana GATOR (Give All a True Opportunity to Rise) Scholarship Program, commonly referred to as school choice.
“A strong education system leads to a strong economy and a strong state. Our historic Dream Big Package puts the focus back on our kids, and allows Louisiana to follow in the footsteps of our neighbors in the South,” Mr. Jeff Landry said in a statement. ”I am thankful to the legislature for their commitment to making the education system in Louisiana one that students, parents, and teachers can all be proud of.”
School choice, which has been a partisan issue, saw a notable shift in support when six Louisiana Democrats in the state’s lower chamber crossed the aisle to vote in favor of the final passage of House Bill 745. The bill then advanced to the upper chamber and ultimately reached the governor’s desk for approval.
State Rep. Jason Hughes, a Democrat, told the House floor that he knew “the political ramifications for me for voting for this bill” before it passed in a 71-32 vote in April.
“But I don’t need this $16,800 a year job bad enough to watch our children continue to live in poverty, trapped in failing schools, and not try to do something,” Mr. Hughes said.
“And in the event I’m not reelected, this is what I know: my steps are ordered. My heart is pure,” he continued. “I came here to do tough things. I came here to make tough decisions. And I came here to put children first.”
Proponents Hail Choice
Proponents of school choice describe it as giving parents the option to use state public funds to send their children to a school of their choice, whether public or private. The public funds, depending on the state, typically come from an education service account (ESA), as is the case in Louisiana. In some states, they can also come from vouchers and tax-credit scholarships.Data from EdChoice, an Indiana nonprofit, show that nearly 360,000 students from more than 20 states attended various schools with support from their state’s school choice program. The schools they attended included private schools, charter schools, magnet schools, homeschooling, and online learning. The programs also supported inter/intra-district transfers and other customized learning accommodations, according to EdChoice.
More than 30 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, have ESA and tax-credit programs. These programs offer vouchers and/or tax-credit scholarships for students, assessed on family income. EdChoice reported that in 2021, more than 350,000 students were beneficiaries of these programs.
Teachers Unions Against School Choice
Teachers’ unions, however, oppose school choice.The National Education Association (NEA) has argued that school choice programs drain critical funding from public schools, especially harming rural schools, which serve as community hubs and major employers. They emphasize that vouchers benefit wealthy families, lack accountability, and do not improve student outcomes.
The union advocates for preserving public education funding to support all students and maintain essential community services. Last year, the NEA stated that there is “scant evidence that voucher programs produce any improvement in student academic achievement.”
The Louisiana governor’s office said in a statement that the GATOR legislation “will allow parents to choose the school that best suits their child’s needs.”
“GATOR Scholarships provide parents with a scholarship account that allows them to customize their child’s education. These scholarship accounts can be used for school tuition and fees, tutoring, educational therapies, textbooks and curricula, dual enrollment courses, uniforms, and transportation,” the governor’s office stated.
Notably, the measure was passed by a Republican supermajority legislature and signed by a Republican governor. Mr. Landry defeated the former Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, who opposed school choice programs and had vetoed similar legislation in the past.
Louisiana is the 11th state to pass school choice legislation.
