Louisiana’s Voucher Debate Will Be Heard in Federal Court

The battle over school vouchers in Louisiana is headed to court.

A federal appeals court in New Orleans is set to hear arguments on whether the state must report to the U.S. government about schools and families in Louisiana's program to provide some students with taxpayer-funded private school tuition vouchers.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear an appeal on Monday by pro-voucher groups who say the Justice Department is trying to stifle the program. It provides tuition to some low- and moderate-income families whose children otherwise would go to low-performing public schools.

In 2012, lawmakers approved the Governor's proposed voucher program.

The state has said compiling the reports for federal officials won't hurt the program. But some voucher supporters are pressing on with the appeal. They're represented by the conservative Goldwater Institute.