2-21-14 wi-report cards

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A committee vote to pass a bill that would call for closing failing public schools, and kicking lagging private schools out of the voucher program, has been delayed.  The Education Committee planned to vote on the Republican-backed measure Thursday but committee chairman Rep. Steve Kestell says changes are still being discussed and the bill won't be ready for a vote this week.

Bill sponsor Rep. Jim Steineke says talks are ongoing with the Senate to find a bill that can pass both houses.  But Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says there currently is only support in the Senate for the bill it passed earlier this week. That called for private schools to submit data public schools already provide for inclusion in report cards, but imposes no sanctions.