New school report card bill proposed in Assembly

MADISON (AP) — Failing public schools could be closed and subpar private schools would no longer be able to accept taxpayer-funded voucher students under the latest version of an accountability bill introduced in the Assembly.

Bill sponsor Rep. Jim Steineke said Thursday that he's hopeful the Senate will pass the bill before it adjourns for the year. The Assembly plans to vote on it next week on its final session day of the year.

The Senate has already passed a school accountability bill that does not include sanctions. At the time, Senate leaders said that was the only version of the proposal that had enough votes to pass.

Both Republicans and Democrats say they want greater accountability for all schools, but they haven't been able to agree on what that should look like.