Applications to open charter schools soar in La.

Charter school applications across Louisiana have increased fivefold in 2012 over last year’s figures, BESE announced today, saying the increase is due to the education reforms approved during the legislative session. In all, there were 49 charter school applications this year, including 26 for new charter schools. Louisiana now has 104 charter schools operating, with 14 new ones opening this year. Last school year, more than 44,000 students attended charter schools. Charter schools outpaced all other public schools in performance scores, BESE says, gaining an average of 6 points compared to 2 points by other schools. State Superintendent of Education John White says families with students in low-performing schools now have more educational choices with the educational reform and new charter schools. “We’re excited to see so many educators, community and business leaders from all corners of the state answer the call to provide a high-quality education to Louisiana students,” says White. “The legislation gave us the ability to provide more public school choices to students in chronically failing schools across the state. As a result, we received a record number of applications.” More details are available here.