School vouchers:
A plan to redirect state funds from public schools to pay for tuition and fees at private schools through a state voucher program has been sent to the governor for his signature. Under House Enrolled Act 1003, families who qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program (annual income less than $40,800 for a family of four), will be eligible to receive a voucher equal to 90 percent of the public school corporation’s per-pupil funding. With a household income of about $61,000, a student could receive a voucher in the amount of 50 percent of the school corporation’s per-pupil funding. The maximum voucher amount for students in grades 1 through 8 will be limited to $4,500 per school year. The act includes a short phase-in period allowing up to 7,500 available for the 2011-2012 school year, 15,000 available for the 2012-2013 school year, and no cap after that.