The Need: Facing a Crisis
Louisiana Student Achievement
Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Graduation & Dropout Rates
Only 57.4% of Louisiana's children graduate from high school, ranking them 48th in the country in graduation rates.
Source: America's Promise Alliance
Funding
The State of Louisiana spends $8,937 to educate each child in the public school system.
Source: Fiscal year 2007,
NCES Report Released 2009
School Choice Options
Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Provides private school vouchers to assist low-income children in failing schools in New Orleans. 1,195 students were served in 2009-10
The Center for Education Reform ranks Louisiana's charter school law 15th strongest of the nation's 40 charter laws, with an overall grade of C. The law was passed in 1995.
The Home School Legal Defense Association gives Louisiana a "Moderate" rating in terms of home school restrictions.
Public Opinion
Less than one out of four likely voters rate the state's public school system as "good" or "excellent"
Eighty-six percent of voters prefer choosing a school for their child among options that include private, charter, or virtual schools, or homeschooling
The Cost of Failure
In Louisiana an estimated 24,400 students dropped out of the class of 2010 at great cost to themselves and their communities. Cutting that dropout rate in half could have tremendous economic benefits for the state. Here are the contributions those 12,200 “new Graduates” could have on Louisiana’s economy.
