By: Associated Press//June 14, 2017//
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Private schools participating in Wisconsin’s voucher school program would have to conduct employee-background checks under a bill approved by the state Senate.
The bipartisan measure passed Wednesday includes a number of changes to the state’s voucher program. It’s supported both by advocates of school choice and the state Department of Public Instruction. No one has registered against the measure, which would mostly make technical changes.
The bill would do away with certain academic benchmarks that choice schools must now meet, but DPI backs that change because private schools would still be subject to state report cards.
It would also change various deadlines and application requirements in ways that, backers say, would improve the administration of the program.
The proposal passed in a bipartisan 28-5 vote. The Assembly is to vote on it next week.