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Press Releases
Press Releases
WEST ALLIS — New data released today by the Department of Public Instruction shows that participation in Wisconsin’s parental school choice programs continues to grow. Nearly 55,000 students are enrolled in one of Wisconsin’s four parental choice programs — an increase of 2,760 from last year — attending one of 383 schools. Both marks represent record participation. This comes on the heels of Governor Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders agreeing to an historic bipartisan funding increase as part of state budget negotiations earlier this year. “School choice is growing because it works. All parents deserve the right to find…
October 10, 2023 (WEST ALLIS) — Students in Wisconsin’s parental choice programs outperformed public school students across a range of test results released by DPI today. Families who participate in the parental choice programs must be at or below the following federal poverty percentages when they apply: 300% (MPCP and RPCP) and 220% (WPCP). These students are some of the most economically disadvantaged students in Wisconsin. The comparisons below show: Choice students in Milwaukee and Racine outscore Milwaukee and Racine public students from all income levels on academic proficiency tests. Choice students outscore students from all income levels on college-readiness…
WEST ALLIS — School Choice Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Institute of Law and Liberty (WILL) today released a new report that shines new light on the amount of special needs students in Wisconsin’s choice schools serve students with disabilities. The report, Serving All: Students with Disabilities in Wisconsin’s Parental Choice Programs, demonstrates that contrary to previously-reported, incomplete data, private schools in Wisconsin’s choice programs enroll roughly the same percentage of students with learning disabilities as public schools. Based on responses from schools enrolling 40 percent of students in the state’s choice programs, the SCW-WILL research found that more than 10…
West Allis, Wisconsin – Nic Kelly, President of School Choice Wisconsin, issued the following statement after circulation of a co-sponsorship memo with six bill drafts by Wisconsin legislative democrats earlier today. The so-called “Investing in Our Kids’ Education Initiative – Public Money for Public Schools” bill package seeks drastic and harmful changes which would block new enrollments to and fully phase-out all of Wisconsin’s Parental Choice and Special Needs Scholarship Programs. “School Choice Wisconsin Action is disappointed that any legislator who has witnessed the positive impact of the choice program in Wisconsin for the past 30 years continues to perpetuate…
In an opinion piece published today on the website for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, School Choice Wisconsin President Nicholas Kelly highlighted research that showed schools in Wisconsin’s private choice programs delivered exceptional bang for the buck when compared to public schools. The study can be found here. Excerpts from the op-ed are below, and the full piece can be read here. School choice triumph: Report card analysis shows voucher schools out-perform public schools Milwaukee Journal Sentinel August 31, 2023 Education was a big winner of a bipartisan agreement in the recently enacted state budget. Public schools will receive an increase…
WEST ALLIS — According to new research published today, schools in Wisconsin’s parental choice programs are significantly more cost-effective than their public school peers. The analysis of publicly-available Department of Public Instruction school report cards and state and local funding data found that private schools in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, Racine Parental Choice Program and statewide Wisconsin Parental Choice Program all delivered significantly more bang for the buck than their public school peers: The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program was 89 percent more cost-effective than the Milwaukee Public School District. The Racine Parental Choice Program was 92 percent more cost-effective than…
West Allis — School Choice Wisconsin announced today that it has added Ben Voelkel of Jericho Communications to its team to manage communications for the organization throughout the critical state budget process. Voelkel has more than a decade of experience developing and executing communications programs for state and national elected officials and organizations. “School Choice Wisconsin is a leader in the education freedom movement in Wisconsin. We are actively engaging our schools and families in discussions and school tours with our elected officials. Their voices need to be heard in the development of this biennial budget,” School Choice Wisconsin president…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE School Choice Wisconsin Welcomes Linda Appleby as Director of Development WEST ALLIS, Wis. (January 10, 2023) – Linda Appleby will join School Choice Wisconsin as Director of Development effective January 16, 2023, according to Nicholas Kelly, SCW President. Appleby has extensive experience in complex fundraising environments, including healthcare, higher education, and religious organizations. She brings a deep commitment to parental choice and has worked actively to expand options and improve educational results in her hometown of Beloit. “Linda brings an entrepreneurial spirit and an innovative approach to fundraising that has produced remarkable results. We were struck…
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (January 4, 2023) – Former State Rep. Amy Loudenbeck will join School Choice Wisconsin (SCW) as Director of Policy and Government Affairs effective January 10, 2023, according to Nicholas Kelly, SCW President. “Amy has a passion to serve Wisconsin children and families. Her commitment to parent choice, her legislative and management experience, and her proven capability to work with diverse constituencies make her a great addition to our team,” Kelly said. Loudenbeck was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2011; she served on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee for the past four sessions and as…
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (December 19, 2022) – School Choice Wisconsin will add two members to its staff, doubling the size of its outreach team, according to Nic Kelly, SCW president. Chris Lawrence and Ryan Huebsch will join SCW effective January 3, 2023. They will work with current staff to educate communities about the value of parental choice programs, develop grassroots support, and help families and students participate. “We are fortunate to welcome two very talented individuals who care deeply about parental freedom. Both bring excellent skills, high energy, and valuable statewide experience to our team,” Kelly said. Chris Lawrence will…