Indiana lawmakers OK broadest voucher plan in US

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Indiana lawmakers OK broadest voucher plan in US
(AP) – 9 hours ago

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana will create the nation's broadest private school voucher system and enact other sweeping education changes, making the state a showcase of conservative ideas just as Gov. Mitch Daniels nears an announcement on whether he will make a 2012 presidential run.

The Republican-controlled state Legislature handed Daniels a huge victory Wednesday when the House voted 55-43 to give final approval to a bill creating the voucher program that would allow even middle-class families to use taxpayer money to send their children to private schools.

Unlike other systems that are limited to lower-income households, children with special needs or those in failing schools, Indiana's voucher program will be open to a much larger pool of students, including those already in excellent schools. Families would have to meet certain income limits to qualify, with families of four making up to about $60,000 a year getting some type of scholarship.

Daniels' agenda mirrors ideas being pushed nationwide by Republicans empowered by 2010 election victories. But Daniels has successfully led Indiana — a conservative state not known for going out on a limb — into uncharted education territory.



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[NM Independent]

1. I feel sorry for the kids, but..

they just became experiments. Let's hope that they don't get screwed up too badly by this, but I have a feeling it won't work out that way.

[bloomington-lib]

2. I wonder if the goal of this is to bring more money to the religious schools

Private Christian schools are everywhere around here.

[jpak]

3. ding ding ding - and private schools operated by Daniels' GOP cronies

yup