MILWAUKEE -- Surrounded by about two dozen schoolchildren in Milwaukee on Friday., Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law an expansion of the school voucher program.

Doyle praised the expansion, calling it a victory for students everywhere.

The expansion will increase the number of students allowed in the voucher program from 15,000 to about 22,500.

The program allows parents to send their children to private schools with state money.

The law puts into place for the first time accountability standards for the program, such as requiring schools to apply for accreditation and establish standardized testing.

Doyle said that the bill is a step forward for kids, parents and the taxpayers of Wisconsin.