Enacted 2011 • Launched 2011 • Voucher
Douglas County, Colorado’s Choice Scholarship Pilot Program provides vouchers to any
public school student who has spent at least one year in the Douglas County School District.
The program is subject to annual renewal or cancellation by the school board. If more than
500 students apply for vouchers, a lottery is held. Participating private schools can be located
outside Douglas County; online schools and homeschoolers are not eligible. The Choice
Scholarship School, a charter school, is the voucher program’s administrative home. Parents
and community members, appointed by the school board, provide oversight.
Latest Stats (2011-12)
- Students participating: 494
- Schools participating: 21
- Average voucher value: $1,143*
*(one-fourth of school year)
Program Details
Maximum voucher value as a percentage of
Colorado’s total per-student spending ($8,926)
Student Funding
Eligible students can receive a voucher worth the lesser of the private school tuition or 75
percent of the per-pupil public revenue ($4,575 in 2011-12). A family is allowed to supplement
the voucher with additional funds.
Student Eligibility
Students must be residents of the Douglas County School District (DCSD) for at least one year,
and must currently be attending a DCSD public school. Non-residents who have chosen to
enroll in DCSD public schools are not eligible.
Legal Developments
March 16, 2011, the Douglas County Public School Board unanimously approved the Choice Scholarship Pilot Program. The voucher program was challenged in state court and enjoined by a Denver judge. That was later reserved by the Colorado Court of Appeals. Opponents have appealed to the state's Supreme Court for a hearing. LaRue v Colorado, District Court, City and County of Denver, Colorado, Case No.: 11cv4424
Rules & Regulations
- Income Limit: None
- Geographic Limit: District (Douglas)
- Enrollment Cap: 500
- Voucher Cap: $4,575
- Testing Mandates: Yes-National
Governing Statutes
Douglas County School Board Policy JCB, available online.
Friedman Contact
Robbie Rhinesmith | robbie@edchoice.org
Additional Links
https://eboardsecure.dcsdk12.org/attachments/7432a5fd-dc5f-43fb-b456-39183197465e.pdf
