The Douglas County School District and a group that sued over the implementation of a controversial school- voucher program will head back to court Monday afternoon.

This time, both sides will make oral arguments at the Colorado State Court of Appeals, battling over a lower court's ruling that the Douglas County's Choice Scholarship Program violated the state's constitution and school-financing act.

The final outcome will have wide-ranging implications. Vouchers have been mainly used in urban, inner-city areas to improve educational opportunities for poorer students, but even those are being challenged.

The Washington state Supreme Court is hearing a challenge of a voucher program that provides public money to low- and middle-income students, according to a story in the Seattle Times.

Douglas County is one of the most affluent districts in the state and also one of the highest-achieving. But Douglas County argues that all students - regardless of family income - should be given as much opportunity for choice as possible.

Read more of Carlos Illescas's story in the Denver Post.

(Copyright 2012 The Denver Post)