DATELINE: NEW ORLEANS
A Senate sponsor of legislation letting some New Orleans children attend private school at public expense says she's pleased with response to the program, although the number taking part in its first year is relatively low.
State Sen. Ann Duplessis of New Orleans says there was little time to promote the program to parents between the time it was approved last summer and the beginning of the current school year. Also, state education officials say some of the private schools had more state-funded applicants than they could accommodate.
The legislation authorized tuition for 1,500 New Orleans students. Only about 640 are enrolled.
Duplessis said she's confident the program will grow this year and that there will be funding for it despite state budget problems.