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.
Lawmakers are at work on a new measure.
In June 1998, the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the program's expansion to include religious schools. Though the ruling was appealed, the U.S. Supreme Court in November 1998 declined to review the case.