La. Voucher Program Borrows From Plans Around the Country

Louisiana appears on track to enact a private-school-voucher plan for New Orleans that borrows from choice programs elsewhere in several respects, from its focus on a single city and its means-testing of families to its targeting of students enrolled in low-performing public schools.

The $10 million plan would provide vouchers for as many as 1,500 city students to attend secular or religious nonpublic schools this coming fall. The Louisiana Senate approved it by a vote of 26-12 on June 11. A similar version passed the House 60-42 last month.

The initiative is a high priority for Gov. Bobby Jindal, a Republican, who has pushed hard for its passage. Before the governor can sign it into law, the amended measure must return to the House...