Indiana Passes Monumental School Choice Expansion Package

The American Federation for Children applauds the Indiana Legislature for putting students first and expanding eligibility for the state’s voucher and tax credit programs, increasing the scholarship amounts for all eligible students and for creating a new ESA program that will serve Hoosier students with special needs through the passage of the state budget. The budget also increases per student charter funding.

Statement from Betsy Wiley, President of the Institute for Quality Education:
“Ten years after Indiana passed the Choice Scholarship Program, the state legislature has acted, once again to make Indiana a national leader in K-12 education by expanding educational options to many more hard-working middle-class Hoosier families and students.”

Statement from John Schilling, President of the American Federation for Children:
“Now more than ever, families need access to options that meet their individual learning needs, and the Indiana legislature has stepped up to fill that need. This historic expansion of choice brings Indiana back to the top as a national model for student-focused policy. We applaud the great work of our in-state partners at the Institute for Quality Education (IQE) for going to bat for thousands of Indiana families who will now have an opportunity to access a great education that meets their needs. We are grateful for the commitment of legislative leaders like Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President Rod Bray as well as Governor Holcomb for putting the needs of families first in these unprecedented times.”

Details:

• Passed as part of the State Biennial Budget
• Voucher and tax credit eligibility increased to 300% of the amount to qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch
• All eligible voucher students will now qualify for a 90% (of state funding) scholarship
• Tax Credit cap increases to $17.5M in FY 22 and $18.5M in FY 23
• New $10M special needs ESA to be implemented in the 22-23 school year
• Increases the per student charter and innovation network grant to $1,000 in FY 22 and $1,250 in FY 23