July 15, 2011
First seven schools in diocese approved for vouchers
By MARY ANN HUGHES (Message staff writer)
Seven schools in the Diocese of Evansville have been accepted into Indiana’s school voucher program and are accepting applications. Parents are “ecstatic” about the opportunity, ac-cording to one principal.
In addition to the first seven, other schools in the diocese are expected to be included soon.
The first on the state list are Corpus Christi and Resurrection schools and Mater Dei High School, all in Evansville; St. James School, Haubstadt; St. Matthew School, Mount Vernon; St. Philip School, Posey County, and St. Joseph School in Vanderburgh County.
Timothy Dickel, executive director at Mater Dei, said, “Mater Dei is excited to participate in the school choice program.
“We believe that families should have choices regarding where they educate their child, and we now will be able to help families that otherwise would not be able to afford attending our school.
“I have talked with several families that should be helped with the voucher program. They are ecstatic about the opportunity for their child to receive a Mater Dei education.
“After learning more about the requirements for participation in the voucher program, I am confident that we will be able to maintain our high standards.”
“Already, the [Indiana Department of Education] has received more than 100 applications from schools hoping to participate in the program,” said the department’s Alex Damron.
The program is designed to give Hoosier families the opportunity to send their children to schools that best meet learning needs. A voucher, or choice scholarship, is a state payment that qualifying families can use to offset tuition costs at participating schools.
Students qualify based on total household income and the amount of the scholarship corresponds with the public school corporation in which the student lives.
Information about the program can be found at the school choice web page at www.doe.in.gov/schoolchoice.
“This page contains useful information for both parents and participating schools. It also includes a link to the initial batch of schools that have been approved to participate in the program.”
Damron said the list will be updated weekly. “If a school is not on the list, it does not mean its application was denied. It may still be processing or the school may not have submitted it yet.”
Dickel added, “I have heard some supporters of our Catholic schools express concerns that the state will place restrictions on our schools that will compromise our core values and high standards. After learning more about the program, I think most of our schools have already been following the state’s guidelines.”