The state Department of Education says nearly 5-thousand students have enrolled in Louisiana's new statewide private school tuition vouchers program.

Board of Elementary & Secondary Education President Penny Dastugue says she's pleased to see 4,944 students statewide in the program this Fall.

"I'm very pleased with the number and I'm pleased with the disbursement across the state, says Dastugue.
 
The School Choice Act of the 2012 Legislature set up a statewide vouchers plan for lower income households with kids in public schools ranked as "failing" by the Education Department.

Dastugue says vouchers started in New Orleans, and she expects to see the statewide version grow in future school years.

"Every year in New Orleans, in the scholarship program, there has been growth," Dastugue says. "There have been more schools willing to offer seats to these children and there have been more parents who have decided that that's a good option for their child."

Over 10-thousand applied for the private school vouchers. That's far fewer than the hundred of thousands who were eligible. There were over 6-thousand spots available, but Dastugue says she feels the program is off to a good start.