Taxpayer dollars in Louisiana's new voucher program will be paying to send children to schools that teach creationism and question evolution, challenging the lessons central to public school science classrooms.
Several religious schools that will be educating taxpayer-subsidized students tout their creationist views. Some schools question whether the universe is more than a few thousand years old, openly defying reams of scientific evidence to the contrary.
Critics say it's inappropriate to spend public money on such religious teachings, arguing they undercut a strong science education and threaten the adequate preparation of students for college science courses.
Superintendent of Education John White says annual science tests required of voucher students in the third through 11th grades will determine if children are getting the appropriate science education in the private school classrooms.