Five Lafayette schools taking voucher students

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Fri, 01 Jun 2012 05:48:34 +0100

I have a 5 yr. old starting k. we live in scott,la - Katherine Scott

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Wed, 23 May 2012 22:36:28 +0100

>How any parent who can afford to put their child in a private school can carp that someone less fortunate might get a scholarship to attend the same school befuddles me.< >Students must also be residents of Louisiana and meet income eligibility requirements (family income in 2011 cannot exceed 250% of the federal poverty guidelines).< Family of 3 qualify for this making up 46.3k a year Family of 4 qualify for this making up to 55.8k a year. This program is not just for the "needy" children. - Matthew Rowzee

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Tue, 22 May 2012 15:22:21 +0100

Ms St Julien..that's just what I really expected to hear, the comments you mentioned. It makes me wonder why anyone thinks they can do this...and be successful. While there is little truth in believing that all children who come from low-income families are NOT good students, nor as deserving of a good education as anyone else...nonetheless, that kind of thinking seems to be mighty prevalent..witness those remarks. How any parent who can afford to put their child in a private school can carp that someone less fortunate might get a scholarship to attend the same school befuddles me. The more successful people we have...the better. And how can they be ANGRY that 'their tax dollars' are being used for this, when those tax dollars were being spent anyway...to educate the same children, just in public schools. Like you, I fear that those parents attitudes ARE going to rub off on their children and the kids who go on vouchers will become aware of the 'differences' between them soon enough. I'm against this whole voucher deal to private schools...thought I'm NOT against children getting a good education. I just think if we're going to judge public/private schools...we need to use the same scorecard...and that is not part of this deal. Joe LeBlanc...look out for the competition. I have a feeling that we'll see more and more private schools opening up around here and you're just a qualified in them to be a teacher as anyone. They won't be held accountable for test scores, etc. The teachers don't have to meet the same standards. They won't serve disabled or special needs students. And they make that whole sum of money...even if the student is put out or decides to leave....anywhere in the school term. Sounds like a juicy deal to me. - Teri Welch

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Tue, 22 May 2012 15:07:44 +0100

I guess i should open up some 'for-profit' 'private' schools....did anyone really think the well known private schools would accept them? - Joe LeBlanc

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Tue, 22 May 2012 14:21:59 +0100

Acknowledgment of these schools is in order. It is not an easy, or popular choice for the administrators. It is certainly understandable why some parents would be reluctant. It is however the right thing to do. And that's the best lesson we can teach our children. - Tim Supple

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Tue, 22 May 2012 11:59:49 +0100

Teri, I wonder the same thing, especially after seeing posts that have been made by the parents of private-school students on FaceBook. I don't know if they're typical or not, but they were saying that they don't want voucher kids coming because they'll bring down the quality of the schools; there's also resentment that these kids will attend the school for free, when everyone else has to pay for the privilege. And they're angry that their tax dollars are being used for all this. Hopefully this attitude on the part of the parents won't rub off on the kids. The voucher kids will need encouragement and a welcoming atmosphere if any good is to come of this. - Layne Darby St. Julien

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Tue, 22 May 2012 11:41:33 +0100

Hey, when did Park Vista Elementary school in St Landry Parish become a private school? It was always public for as long as I remember...unless something's changed? I have to wonder...just how long will those students who are accepted....stay in these schools. Heather...I do so hope you'll be doing a follow-up on B.jindals' glorious experiment! - Teri Welch