PAR: Hold legislative hearing on voucher standards

A nonpartisan government watchdog group is asking Superintendent of Education John White to seek legislative guidance as he designs the accountability standards required of schools participating in Louisiana's new voucher program.

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana sent a letter Tuesday to White, urging him to present his draft accountability policies to the House and Senate education committees for the program that will use tax dollars to send students to private schools.

Lawmakers required the policies be in place by Aug. 1 and gave White the responsibility of devising them. White presents the plans to the state education board next week.

PAR President Robert Travis Scott says the standards need to ensure that taxpayers can be confident their money is well-spent and that students are receiving an adequate education.