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The laws establishing school choice in Wisconsin outline who is eligible to participate in the state’s parental choice programs. To enter the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program or the Racine Parental Choice Program, families must live in the Milwaukee or Racine school districts and have an income that doesn’t exceed 330 percent of the federal poverty level. To be eligible for the statewide Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, families can’t have an income of more than 220 percent of the federal poverty level. An analysis of choice student demographics provide a more detailed picture of who is being served by private choice…
Read MoreIn 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…
Read MoreWEST 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…
Read MoreData from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction enable a comparison of public and private school cost-effectiveness. The results are described in a new School Choice Wisconsin report. Using conservative assumptions, the report shows a marked advantage for schools in the state’s private school choice programs. The advantage is most pronounced in Milwaukee and Racine. A lesser but still sizable advantage exists in the statewide program. Figure 1 shows that per pupil public school revenue substantially exceeds that at private choice schools. DPI Report Card scores show a different picture. Despite less revenue, Figure 2 shows higher Report Card scores…
Read MoreFor 62 years, the school now known as Journeys Lutheran School in Hales Corners has been providing high-quality education for students with learning difficulties. Established by the South Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Journeys has had locations in Milwaukee, Mequon, Glendale, Greendale and Hales Corners over the years, with a number of different names to go along with the different addresses. But while the name, size and location of the school have changed over the years, what hasn’t changed is the school’s commitment to preparing students with unique learning challenges to realize their full educational, social and…
Read MoreMost students aren’t excited about anything to do with school in the middle of July. But there were lots of smiling faces this weekend at the backpack drive School Choice Wisconsin and Hispanics for School Choice in downtown Milwaukee. As director of outreach for Hispanics for School Choice, I often meet with students and parents in a variety of settings. This last weekend was no different. Hundreds of students and parents visited our booth at the Mercadera Market held at the Deer District. Even Bango, the Milwaukee Bucks’ mascot, got in the action and stopped by to hand out backpacks and school supplies and pose…
Read MoreWest 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…
Read MoreFOR 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…
Read MoreWEST 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…
Read MoreWEST 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…
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