An agreement that would expand Milwaukee's private school voucher program by 7,500 students passed the state Senate's education committee today on a 4 to 3 vote, with all four Republicans voting for it and all three Democrats voting against it.

The agreement, forged by Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle and Republican Assembly Speaker John Gard, would also increase funding for a statewide class reduction program and require private schools in the voucher program to win accreditation. It passed the Assembly's education reform committee yesterday.

Backers hope to see action in the full Legislature by the end of next week.

The above appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Daywatch Blog at 3:15 P.M. on Feburary 23.