By Ben Felder Staff Writer bfelder@oklahoman.com
During last school year, 528 students used state funds for private school tuition through the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Program, an increase of 73 students (16 percent) from the previous year.
The growth was the smallest percentage gain since the program's inception in 2010, when Oklahoma began offering school vouchers to disabled children already attending a public school.
Funding totals for last school year from the state Department of Education were not available, but in the 2015-16 school year over $3.5 million was spent on the program, which represents student state education funding being redirected to a private school.
As more students take advantage of the voucher program, some private schools have followed with their own expansion plans.
Good Shepherd Catholic School at Mercy, which serves children diagnosed with autism and other developmental delays, opened three new classrooms outside of their central location on the Mercy Hospital Campus.
Of the 35 students attending Good Shepherd, 25 receive tuition assistance through the Lindsey Nicole Henry scholarship.
"The growth of Lindsey Nicole Henry has absolutely helped us grow," said Pat Filer, director of Good Shepherd school.
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