IU report predicts demand for school vouchers will level off

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) – A new report says Indiana’s school voucher program is still trying to discover its capacity as programs in other states start to see demand level off.

The Indiana University Center for Evaluation and Education Policy compared voucher programs in Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and Louisiana. It found that despite increases in the number of vouchers available, enrollment has started to level off and there are more scholarships available than students seeking them.

Research associate Molly Stewart tells The Herald-Times that requirements that parents provide transportation, additional fees and other rules may be contributing to a drop in interest in the programs.

She noted that only half of Ohio’s 60,000 EdChoice scholarships are being used.

Indiana’s program began in the 2011-2012 school year. Nearly 30,000 students are participating this year.