BILLY SMITH: Hello, my name is Billy Smith. I'm from Grand Rapids, Michigan. My question is: I'd like to know how the school voucher program will work, and what cross section of the country it will be given to.</s>KATHY SLOBOGIN, CNN EDUCATION AND FAMILY CORRESPONDENT: In President Bush's education reform package, he's proposed something he's calling parental choice, otherwise known as vouchers. And here's how it will work. Bush is proposing that every school test its students every year. Schools that fail to show educational progress for their students three years in a row -- those students will be able to take federal funds, known as Title One funds, and use to attend a private school of their choice, a public school that performs better, or for tutoring help. The amount of money's expected to be about $1,500 per pupil. This choice would be available, under Bush's proposal, for all students in failing schools whose parents are low income. Now, there's one state where this may not apply. Missouri's state constitution and court rulings in that state have placed restrictions on federal funds going to private schools. This parental choice proposal faces an uncertain future on the Hill. It is controversial. But President Bush is hoping if it passes, it will give students of failing schools a choice.
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