“Parents, who have a primary and inalienable duty and right in regard to the education of their children, should enjoy the fullest liberty in their choice of school. The public authority, therefore, whose duty it is to protect and defend the liberty of the citizens, is bound according to the principles of distributive justice to ensure that public subsidies to schools are so allocated that parents are truly free to select schools for their children in accordance with their conscience.”
Gravissimum Educationis, October 28, 1965
The 2011 Indiana General Assembly passed HC 1002 & 1003, school choice legislation to provide significant funding for parents in what has been called “the country’s largest state school voucher program.” Voucher funds and scholarship awards are available to families who choose to enroll children in Catholic schools. Any child who has been attending a public school in grades 1-11 for a full year could qualify for a voucher equal to up to nearly 100 percent of Catholic school tuition and fees (Today's Catholic, June 15, 2011).
Below is a list of resources and links with information about the voucher program from the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. If you have specific questions for your family or would like to enroll in this program, contact Jim Shetterly, Director of Busniess Operations (574-234-3134, ext. 11). Additional questions can be directed to Connie Bruner, Diocesan School Choice Specialist, at (260) 422-4611 in the Catholic Schools Office.
SGO to Grant $300,000 in scholarships to eligible Kindergartners entering Catholic Schools (Today's Catholic, July 13, 2011)
Diocesan Voucher Plan: Ambitious, Realistic, Reasonable (Today's Catholic, June 29, 2011)
Principals Available to Assist Parents with Questions on Vouchers, by Dr. Mark Meyers (Today's Catholic, June 15, 2011)
Podcast Interview with Superintendent, Dr. Mark Meyers (Today's Catholic, July 10, 2011)
Diocesan Catholic Schools Office School Choice Page
Income Eligibility Chart: Understanding How the Program Can Provide Educational Opportunities for Your Family
State of Indiana School Choice Webpage