Latest News and Comment from Education

Sunday, February 6, 2011

School Vouchers for All May Be Governor Scott's Plan | TheLedger.com

School Vouchers for All May Be Governor Scott's Plan | TheLedger.com

School Vouchers for All May Be Governor Scott's Plan

Governor's advisers propose massive expansion; critics say it's too much.

Published: Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 11:18 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 11:18 p.m.

The struggling economy dropped enrollment to just 48 students at Port Charlotte Adventist School last year, leading worried officials to aggressively promote a state voucher program for low-income students.

The marketing worked: An influx of children using the state's $4,100 voucher increased enrollment by 27 students. The private religious school had to hire a new teacher and an aide to accommodate the growth.

Few schools grow by 56 percent in one year, but Port Charlotte Adventist's experience could become much more common if an unprecedented propo