The number of Louisiana students enrolled in classes through the state’s Course Choice program is skyrocketing this year due to additional money and a change in state law.
Enrollment in the Course Choice program has climbed to 19,068 courses in the current school year, the Louisiana Department of Education announced today. That’s way up from 2,362 course enrollments in the 2013-14 school year, during which Course Choice was launched as a pilot program,
Created as part of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s education reform legislative package in 2012, Course Choice provides students and families the ability to select from hundreds of online and in-class courses not traditionally offered by high schools and middle schools. The program allows some high school students to earn early college credits, to access Advanced Placement courses and to receive technical training not traditionally offered at schools. Of the slightly more than 19,000 Course Choice enrollments this year, about 13,000 are for courses that provide high school students with post-secondary credits.
The education department credits the increase in Course Choice enrollment to an additional $7.5 million in support this year through the Minimum Foundation Program.
“This program connects more of our students to a wider range of course options and helps them get the skills they need to grow up and pursue their dreams,” Jindal says in a news release issued today. “The increase in enrollment means more of our kids are working toward academic success in the classroom, and we won’t stop working to make education the best it can be for our children.”
The education department has more details on today’s announcement.
