This spring, Governor Landry and the Louisiana Legislature took a tremendous step forward in approving the LA GATOR Scholarship Program. Set to begin in Fall 2025, LA GATOR will allow families across Louisiana to direct a portion of their state tax dollars to schools or educational programs that best fit their child’s unique needs.

“The parent is the most important voice in a child’s education….Put parents back in control, and let the money follow the child.” – Governor Jeff Landry

It’s no secret that Louisiana has suffered from a low-performing public education system for years.  But even the best schools don’t meet every child’s individual needs. Children may experience challenges due to a variety of factors—intergenerational poverty, giftedness, disabilities, dyslexia, ADHD, being bullied, or just not fitting in with a school’s culture. The bottom line is assigning students to a single government-run school doesn’t work.

LA GATOR allows taxpayer dollars to follow students to the schools or education programs that align with their needs and aspirations. This kind of flexibility opens up a whole new world of possibilities. From school tuition, to textbooks, tutoring, and much more, parents can truly customize their children’s education.

The cost of the LA GATOR to taxpayers is substantially less than the amount of money government currently spends per student in public schools, but the Governor and Legislature will have to prioritize funding for it in the state’s budget. Make no mistake, implementing the program at just any minimal level won’t be enough; state leaders need to fully fund demand, based on the number of families who sign up on behalf of eligible children, and fulfill their promise to provide them a lifeline.

Some may ask how this will be possible given limited state revenues and a looming “fiscal cliff” caused by irresponsible year-after-year increases in state spending. The answer is simple: priorities. Pelican’s recently released report on “Fiscal Reform to Write Louisiana’s Comeback” includes several recommendations to restrain state government spending to create room for vital services that the people of Louisiana need.

The people of Louisiana have spoken, not only by electing a governor and lawmakers who campaigned on expanding education freedom (and soundly rejecting candidates who opposed), but also by making their support known in a recent statewide poll. In a survey conducted last fall, 62% of Louisiana voters said they support the ability to use state funds to select the school of their choice for their child’s education. The priority is supported by every demographic and across party lines.

Now is the time to prioritize Louisiana’s students. It’s not only entirely doable; it’s an imperative to give them and our state a chance for a brighter future.

To learn more about the LA GATOR Scholarship Program, click here.