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Ali Schwartz
Ali Schwartz
Click to view or download PDF version Download the 2022 Spring Newsletter
Read MoreMarch 30, 2022 By George Mitchell While Superintendent of Public Instruction, Gov. Tony Evers wrote to legislators a decade ago that expanding the Wisconsin Parental Choice program was “morally wrong.” Evers said he reached that conclusion because the program “has not improved overall student achievement.” Fast forward to the present. Under criteria applied by none other than Evers’ education agency, private choice schools in the state’s largest choice program — Milwaukee — score higher on the DPI Report Card than do public schools. DPI data show that by other measures — such as the college-readiness ACT test — students in the state’s…
Read MoreFor Immediate Release April 15, 2022 Governor Evers vs. Public Opinion School Choice Wisconsin issued the following statements regarding Governor Evers veto of AB 963: “Governor Evers’ vetoes are at odds with the views of parents and likely voters across the state. They support making all families eligible for the state’s school choice programs. They support the rights of parents to be actively involved in their children’s education, including in the review of instructional material,” said Nicholas Kelly, president of School Choice Wisconsin. “Good Friday not so good for parents – Governor Evers vetoed multiple education bills today resulting in…
Read MoreFor Immediate Release April 15, 2022 Governor Evers vs. Public Opinion School Choice Wisconsin issued the following statements regarding Governor Evers veto of AB 970: “We have seen a surge in support of parental empowerment in education. Today’s vetoes not only ignore the public’s backing of education dollars following the child but retains barriers to parents finding the right solution for their families,” said Nicholas Kelly, president of School Choice Wisconsin. “Good Friday not so good for parents – Governor Evers vetoed multiple education bills today resulting in high-demand options being out of reach for many in Wisconsin. His…
Read MoreEdChoice’s Jason Bedrick, Director of Policy, and Mike McShane, Director of National Research, challenge these narratives and share with us their published papers on two specific topics. Bedrick’s Who’s Afraid of School Choice? follows up on some of the dire predictions that school choice opponents have made over the years and sees how little they match reality. McShane’s The Accountability Myth attacks head-on the argument that public schools are accountable while private schools are not. Title: Who’s Afraid of School Choice? and The Accountability Myth Virtual Speaking Tour presented by EdChoice and School Choice Wisconsin Date: March 8, 2022
Read MoreA roundtable discussion and question/answer time about the CRRSA EANS program and how to take full advantage of it. School leaders that have used the CRRSA EANS funds to their full potential share some tips and tricks about the program. Title: CRRSA EANS Roundtable Discussion Date: February 15, 2022 Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Watch the recording
Read MoreFor Immediate Release February 28, 2022 One of the nation’s leading opinion research firms conducted a random, scientific sample poll in February of likely Wisconsin voters. The survey focused largely on education issues. It showed significant support, across the political spectrum, for policies that expand parent options. Respondents also were in broad agreement on what they see as constituting “parent rights.” “There’s been a parental awakening in Wisconsin. While voters might be divided on any number of non-education issues, there is substantial agreement when it comes to education,” said Nicholas Kelly, President of School Choice Wisconsin. A comprehensive summary…
Read MoreFor Immediate Release February 22, 2022 Likely Wisconsin voters leave little doubt about the rights they believe parents should have when it comes to the schooling of the state’s children. Their views clash sharply with the Democratic Party official and state legislator who said parents wanting “to have a say” should home school or pay tuition at private schools. “Parents with diverse political leanings find common ground when it comes to their rights in the K-12 school world,” said Nic Kelly, President of School Choice Wisconsin. Kelly cited results from a random, scientific survey of 700 likely voters for…
Read MoreFor Immediate Release February 22, 2022 Wisconsin voters strongly support making all families eligible for the state’s school choice programs and favor ending funding inequities between choice, charter, and traditional public schools. These are among key findings on education issues in a scientific, random sample poll conducted earlier this month by one of the nation’s leading opinion research firms. “Parents want more options. They want to be more involved. It’s as simple as that,” said Nic Kelly, President of School Choice Wisconsin. The poll showed support for school choice across the political spectrum. While strong Republican support is…
Read MoreThis year in Wisconsin, 49,000 students are enrolled in private schools through the Milwaukee, Racine, or Statewide Parental Choice Program. These are students in hard-working lower-income families who have been given a voucher to attend the school of their choice. The program is a blessing to families who could not otherwise afford the education that best meets their child’s needs. The only way parents can apply for the Parental Choice Program is through the state Department of Public Instruction (DPI)’s Online Application System (OAS) during the enrollment period for their program. OAS is also the only place where schools can…
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