Olympic gold medalist and former WNBA star Lisa Leslie and Louisiana Federation for Children President Ann Duplessis toured Baton Rouge schools Tuesday, speaking to students and administrators about the Louisiana Scholarship Program.
Duplessis told students they should be thankful for the choices their parents have for their education due to the scholarship program.
A Gov. Bobby Jindal initiative, the Louisiana Scholarship Program offers vouchers for middle- to low-income families to allow parents to send their children to participating private schools. Its implementation went into effect this school year and was supported by the Louisiana Federation for Children.
Leslie said students should take advantage of the opportunities given to them, get involved in their schools and communities and set goals.
“There is no true formula for success,” Leslie said. “You have to practice.”
Leslie said basketball gave her a voice, but without setting goals for herself she would not be where she is today. She also encouraged African-American students to consider the opportunities they have today in comparison to their ancestors.
“You have to understand where you come from in order to know where you are going,” Leslie said. “If I only reach one student today, then I’ve done my job.”
Duplessis, a former state senator, told students they were given a unique opportunity to take advantage of the resources around them, and that they should be thankful for the educational choices they are given.
According to the Louisiana Federation for Children’s website, the program has allowed parents to choose the school their children attend regardless of household income, which has boosted academic performance.
The Louisiana Scholarship Program was fully funded by the state legislature during the regular 2013 Legislative Session, after its expansion during the 2012 session.
Chairman of the Louisiana Federation for Children Eddie Rispone said the scholarship program focuses on making quality education affordable for children.
“We believe parents should have a choice between a traditional public school, or a charter school, or a parochial school,” Rispone said.
“We believe parents should have a choice,”