This article was contributed by Sr. Dale McDonald, PBVM, PhD, NCEA’s Director of Public Policy.
New Voucher Program: Maryland’s Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Program went into effect this school year. The program offers vouchers for students state-wide who qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Within the Archdiocese of Baltimore, 628 students received about $1.5 million in BOOST scholarships.
This school choice program, the state’s first, will provide vouchers to low-income students to attend private schools.
Program Fast Facts:
- The nation’s 26th voucher program
- 26 percent of families with children income-eligible statewide
- Maximum voucher value: $14,003 (estimated 2015–16)
- Maximum value as a percentage of public school per-student spending: 100%
To learn more about the program’s funding, eligibility and rules, please click here.
