The 2024 regular legislative session came to an end on Monday night. And LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford is among those who say the biggest piece of legislation approved will be Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program. Alford says the legislation, Senate Bill 313, brings Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to Louisiana, that allow families to access public dollars to pay for private school tuition. “You know, I think the education savings account is probably going to be a hallmark for Governor Jeff Landry coming out of this session. But also, probably, for his first term in government.”
In a written statement, Governor Landry said “ESAs empower parents and students across our state to choose a learning environment that best fits their family’s needs and aligns with the values.”
The LA Gator Scholarship Program is an expanded version of Louisiana’s current school vouchers program. Until now, only low-income families, whose children attend low-rated public schools, can apply for vouchers that are worth, on average, $6,800. This new scholarship program will begin in the 2025-26 school year and is expected to allocate between $5,000 to $15,000 a year for each student.
SB 313 stipulates that the scholarship funds must be separate from Louisiana’s K-12 funding formula, which is spelled out in the state constitution and is known as the Minimum Foundation Program. The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, better known as BESE, is now tasked with developing rules for the LA Gator program.
Eligibility, initially, will include students enrolled in the current voucher program, along with those entering kindergarten, or enrolled previously in public school. Students from a family that’s considered below 250% of federal poverty level. In year two, eligibility extends to students from families below 400% of the poverty line.
Division of Administration
But SB 313 was not without its detractors, which includes the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents. A recent letter by the association contended, “This appropriation of public funds could exacerbate existing funding challenges that many public schools and the state are projected to face next year. For public schools, this could lead to increased class sizes, reduced resources, and limited educational opportunities for our students.” The Louisiana School Boards Association echoed many of the same sentiments against the LA Gator Scholarship Program, saying it uses taxpayer dollars without accountability, standards, or special education services. In northwest Louisiana, the Bossier Parish School Board voted March 26th for a resolution in opposition to SB 313, as well, for many of the same reasons.
The Louisiana Federation of Teachers also voiced their opposition to the legislation, declaring in their statement, “Don’t let them silence our voices! It’s time to stand up for Louisiana students and educators.” Critics of SB 313 cite a recent reportfrom the Albert Shanker Institute. According to their research, 84% of state students are already in school districts with less than adequate funding, while 57% of students are in “chronically underfunded” districts.
