Based in Cleveland. Based in Madison, the state capital. The program is paid for with state aid, which, were it not for the voucher initiative, would have gone to the Cleveland public schools. Selection Process Program administrators hold a lottery, after which the winners apply to private schools. If some lottery winners don't, or can't use the aid, their vouchers are given to students on a waiting list.
Individual schools hold their own lotteries if they have more voucher applicants than open seats.
Verification Program staff members collect documentation from applicants to verify their income, residency, and legal guardianship. The state asks each private school to collect documentation verifying income, residency, and guardianship. The schools keep those documents, but they must provide the state with independent audits showing their per-pupil operational costs, which are used to establish the value of the voucher. Legal Status The Ohio Supreme Court ruled last month that the voucher program passes constitutional muster on government establishment of religion. Even so, the court invalidated the program because it was improperly tacked on to other legislation.