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Data 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…
Read MoreWEST ALLIS, Wis. (November 30, 2022) – After many years of frustration, today we fight back. Our mission at School Choice Wisconsin Action is to advocate for our member schools and families in the parental choice programs. On behalf of our member schools, School Choice Wisconsin Action (SCWA) and two Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) schools have filed a lawsuit with the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) against the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for what we are calling the “perfection rule.” The case challenges DPI’s burdensome policies for the Choice application and verification process. As many…
Read MoreWEST ALLIS, Wis. (November 29, 2022) – A School Choice Wisconsin analysis of DPI Report Cards shows that schools in the state’s parental choice programs have earned higher grades than public schools. “Despite entry barriers, and funding at 60% of public school levels, DPI finds that schools in private school choice programs outperform public schools,” said Nic Kelly, President of School Choice Wisconsin. He added, “These results are consistent with previously released DPI data. That data showed choice students outscoring public school students on the college-readiness ACT test. It also ranked choice students higher on academic proficiency tests.” Students in…
Read MoreWisconsin’s choice enrollment is growing. This is no surprise to School Choice Wisconsin given the widespread embrace of educational freedom in Wisconsin and around the country. We are especially pleased to see the growth of the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP), one of Wisconsin’s four choice programs. The program went from a headcount of 1,759 in 2021–22 to 2,217 in 22–23, growing more than 25 percent in one year. One school that’s embracing the program is Kettle Moraine Lutheran in Jackson. That school — with its beautiful facilities and setting — has seen its SNSP enrollment go from zero in…
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