Bill sets new requirements for voucher schools

MADISON (AP) — Private schools that want to participate in Wisconsin's voucher program would have to meet new, tougher requirements under a bill that has passed the state Senate.

Under the voucher program, students receive a taxpayer subsidy to pay for their private school tuition. The program now operates statewide, after initially being only in Milwaukee.

The proposal unanimously passed Tuesday, March 11th has generated support from both the state Department of Public Instruction and groups that advocate for the voucher program.

The Republican-sponsored bill would require voucher schools to maintain accreditation from legitimate agencies. Previous state law only required the schools to get accreditation, but not to keep it.

That provision allowed many ineffective or unstable schools to keep getting taxpayer dollars.

The new requirements would begin with the 2015 school year.