La. gives 315 vouchers to Ruston school with no room, computers or teachers for new students

New Living Word School in Ruston has been approved by the Louisiana Department of Education to accept 315 students as part of the state’s voucher program, but the school doesn’t have the facilities, computers or teachers in place to accommodate that many students.

State education officials wouldn’t know that because site visits aren’t a part of the approval process. Representatives of the Education Department spoke only by phone with school officials before issuing approval.

To be accepted for the Louisiana Scholarship Program — a voucher program that that pays tuition using Minimum Foundation Program public school taxes — nonpublic schools must only prove that they are state-approved and must not discriminate based on race.

Department of Education spokeswoman Rene Greer said nonpublic schools receive visits by the state department before initial operation; for New Living Word that would have been three years ago. They are not visited again before approval to participate in the voucher program.

“The idea is that this program is designed to empower parents to make choices,” Greer said. “We’re believing the families have the ability to make the best choices for their kids.”

http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20120527/NEWS01/205270340/La-gives-315-vouchers-Ruston-school-no-room-computers-teachers-new-students