39K apply for Louisiana’s new school choice program, ‘among the largest turnouts’ in the nation

More than 39,000 students have applied for Louisiana’s new school choice program, the equivalent of about 6% of the state’s public-school enrollment.

Applications came at nearly 1,000 per day during the 45-day enrollment period, which ended Tuesday. The state said 81% were from families earning 250% or less of the federal poverty level.

“This is among the largest turnouts for a new ESA program in the nation,” said state Education Superintendent Cade Brumley in a release. “Louisiana families are making it clear — they want more educational options and the freedom to choose what works best for their children.”

Nearly 35,000 of those applicants were deemed eligible, but how many will receive funding for the program, dubbed LA GATOR, or Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise, depends on state lawmakers.

Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican who signed the new school choice program into law, requested $93 million for it in his budget – enough to fund about 12,000 students. Landry’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Lion Thursday. 

Lawmakers must approve a budget before the Legislature adjourns June 12. 

GATOR will provide education savings accounts (ESAs) of about $7,600 for low- and middle-income students, $5,200 for wealthier students, and up to $15,000 for students with special needs. 

It replaces what Brumley and others called the nation’s “worst” school choice program. The former program placed burdensome regulations on private schools, discouraging successful schools from participating. 

The new program is already more popular than the former, which serves about 6,000 students. The state’s goal is to expand GATOR until it becomes universally available, one of 16 states that now or will soon offer universal school choice, including Texas, which approved a plan this week that is expected to soon make its way to the governor for signing. 

GATOR prioritizes funding for current school choice participants, followed by students with disabilities and those from families earning less than 250% of the federal poverty level, or $80,375 for a family of four. 

Louisiana Department of Education Deputy Communcations Chief Ted Beasley told the Lion in an email that approximately 10,900 of the applicants are currently enrolled in public school. Nearly 5,200 are part of the existing school choice program, and the rest, or about 23,000 students, come from educational environments such as private school or home school. 

GATOR has been described as more flexible than other school choice programs in the South because it can be used for homeschools and hybrid schools, as well as online instruction. 

“Your money deserves to follow your child,” Landry said when promoting the program.  “Sometimes we forget that tax dollars are not the government’s money.”