IDOE Report: Choice Scholarship Program Growth Has Slowed

This year does mark a record high for the number of students using vouchers who have never attended public school in Indiana. (Jeanie Lindsay/IPB News)

Indiana has the largest voucher program in the nation, but a recent report shows growth for the program is slowing down.

The State Department of Education’s most recent update reveals the state has awarded more than $150 million in vouchers this year. The program allows students to use state money to pay for tuition at non-public schools.

But growth has slowed for the past two years. The increase in participation for the 2017 and 2016 school years, landed around 4 and 5 percent, respectively. That’s compared to a 12 percent increase in participation in 2015.

A spokesperson for the State Department of Education says the agency doesn’t keep information to help identify why growth has slowed.

This year does mark a record high for the number of students using vouchers who have never attended public school in Indiana, and more students are using state special education funds to access services through private schools.

Applications for choice scholarships for the 2018-19 school year close Sep. 1.