Members of the House of Representatives will get the first glance at the package Wednesday when the House Education Committee looks at three of Chairman Rep. Steve Carter’s bills. HB976 is the “choice” bill, which would expand the New Orleans private school voucher plan statewide, would allow parents to send students to any high-scoring public school, even across parish lines, pay for enrolling in virtual schools and allow parents to petition to have failing schools taken over by the Recovery School District. Vouchers also could pay for high school students co-enrolling in college or industry-based training.

HB974 would make it much harder for teachers to obtain tenure and establish a “pay for performance” schedule.

HB933 would reform early childhood education in several ways, including setting academic standards for preschool programs, especially at day care centers that receive public funding.

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Some would enroll in private schools and others would take advantage of options in the legislation other than private schools. Those options include tuition for co-enrolling in college courses or vocational-technical training while in high school, or enrolling in virtual schools, he said.

School board members have raised questions about the legality and constitutionality of using public money to pay private schools, especially when it is taken from special funds created to build schools or grant teacher pay raises.

The Louisiana School Boards Association has adopted a resolution urging school systems to file suit if that occurs.

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New Orleans is widely considered a city with a wealth of quality schooling options for children. Parents can select from public schools, public charter schools, virtual schools, private and parochial schools, and homeschooling. As a result of reforms in New Orleans, student achievement and attainment has increased and parental satisfaction with education options is overwhelming.

The National School Choice Week 2012 Kickoff in New Orleans will be held at the Lakefront Arena from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and will feature multiple performances by the legendary Temptations and by entertainer Ellis Marsalis, is free and open to school choice supporters. RSVPs are recommended at http://www.SchoolChoiceWeek.com. Additional speakers, celebrity guests, and activities will be announced in the next two weeks, organizers said.

For the rest of the article, go to New Orleans Selected as Host City for Official Kickoff of National School Choice Week 2012; Major Celebration Planned for Lakefront Arena on January 21, 2012