Chartering Louisiana

Don’t look now, but Governor Bobby Jindal (R-La.) may be sparking an education revolution.

The Louisiana leader, who was just sworn in for a second term, is building on the success the state is experiencing in New Orleans, where 80% of the students are enrolled in charter schools. Gov. Jindal wants to expand the program statewide, which would make Louisiana’s voucher program America’s largest.

Under his plan, another 400,000 kids would have the option of leaving their public school and heading for private or homeschooling alternatives. Parents would finally have the option of educating their children the way they see fit, and failing public schools would have to shape up or shut down.

“This is called competition,” writes the Wall Street Journal, “that crucial quality missing where monopolies reign.” As someone who’s lived in the state for my entire adult life, I can say that Louisiana has never had a Governor put this much emphasis on education reform and school choice.

My hat goes off to Bobby Jindal, who is creating an important model for other states to follow.

Tony Perkins heads the Family Research Council. This article is excerpted from the Washington Update that he compiles for the FRC.

If you would like to comment on this article, e-mail contact@academia.org