I welcome the contribution that the Alabama Policy Institute has made to the charter schools debate over the years. Charters represent one key way to make schools more accountable to parents and their students—improving educational opportunities for young Americans.

In Louisiana, charters have formed one important element of our school reform agenda. Following Hurricane Katrina, the state took control of most New Orleans schools, turning most of them into charters. In 2015, the National Association for Public Charter Schools ranked Louisiana’s charter school law the 2nd best in the country. Coupled with a student scholarship program established in 2008 and expanded statewide in 2012, these efforts have given school leaders more flexibility and parents around the state greater choice and accountability over the schools they choose for their children. In September 2014, Louisiana’s Recovery School District (RSD) became the first school district with 100 percent charter school enrollment.

The results speak for themselves:

A 2013 Stanford University report found that forty-six percent of Louisiana charters outperform their traditional public school peers in math and 41 percent outperform their peers in reading. This improved performance equates to two months of extra learning in reading and three months of extra learning in math.

••In 2014, 91.9 percent of parents said they are satisfied with the Louisiana Scholarship Program; 91.6 percent of parents said they are happy with their child’s academic progress; 98.7 percent reported that their child feels safe in school; and 97.6 percent said they and their children feel welcome.••Between 2008 and 2013, the percentage of students in the Scholarship Program who are proficient in third grade English language arts has grown by 20 percentage points and in math by 28 percentage points. In 2013-14, the scholarship program served 86.7% minority students.

In 2005, 62.8 percent of New Orleans students attended a failing school. Now only 4 percent of New Orleans students attend a failing school.

•Between 2008 and 2013, the percentage of students in the Scholarship Program who are proficient in third grade English language arts has grown by 20 percentage points and in math by 28 percentage points. In 2013-14, the scholarship program served 86.7% minority students.

We doubled the number of charter schools by eliminating the cap on the number of charter schools allowed to operate, continuously improved the charter application process, and authorized new types of charters. By fall 2015, Louisiana will have 182 charter schools serving approximately 82,000 students in 20 parishes. Prior to this administration, there were only 73 charter schools.

The Louisiana experience demonstrates how school choice can work across the country—if only the status quo forces that dominate education policy would allow for greater choice and accountability. Eight states still lack charter school laws, and 21 states still arbitrarily cap the number of charter schools that can operate in their respective states. These caps exist not based on empirical data, but because the reigning education establishment hates and fears competition. While charter schools vary in quality, just like traditional schools, In 2005, 62.8 percent of New Orleans students attended a failing school. Now only 4 percent of New Orleans students attend a failing school. A 2013 Stanford University report found that forty-six percent of Louisiana charters outperform their traditional public school peers in math and 41 percent outperform their peers in reading. This improved performance equates to two months of extra learning in reading and three months of extra learning in math.

All children, not just children born into wealth and privilege, should enjoy the benefits of a quality education. That our country does not provide it to millions stands as an injustice that policymakers should take every opportunity to remedy. Allowing entities to form charter schools would give families a greater voice over their children’s education, empowering parents rather than dictating to them.

Despite the overwhelming logic behind both the principles and data surrounding school choice, the forces longing to preserve our failing education bureaucracy remain strong. This paper from Alabama Policy Institute has made a powerful statement in support of reform over the status quo. I wholeheartedly endorse it and believe it will affect the debate in a positive direction—in Alabama and nationwide.