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2022 Spring Newsletter

March 31, 2022

Click to view or download PDF version   Download the 2022 Spring Newsletter  

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A Tony Evers’ Veto on School Choice for All Would Be Morally Wrong

March 30, 2022

March 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…

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Governor Evers Vetos AB 963

March 18, 2022

For 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…

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Governor Evers Vetos AB 970

March 18, 2022

For 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…

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Wisconsin’s Parental Awakening

February 28, 2022

For 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…

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Wisconsin Parents Are Clear: They Have Rights

February 22, 2022

For 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…

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Broad Cross Section of Wisconsin Voters Want School Choice Universal

February 22, 2022

  For 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…

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Voters Sharply at Odds with Lecture to Parents

February 20, 2022

For Immediate Release February 21, 2022   Wisconsin voters are sharply at odds with a Democratic party official and legislator who said parents who want “to have a say in their child’s education” should home school or pay private school tuition. On February 10, the Vice Chair of the state Democratic Party, Representative Lee Snodgrass, tweeted: “If parents want to ‘have a say’ in their child’s education they should home school or pay for private school out of their family budget.” She posted this while an Assembly committee held a hearing on legislation to create a Parent Bill of Rights.…

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Three New Members Added to the School Choice Wisconsin Board

February 8, 2022

February 8, 2022 Contact: Nicholas Kelly, 414.319.9160 BROOKFIELD, WI – Three new board members with extensive backgrounds in school choice advocacy, community outreach, and business have joined the School Choice Wisconsin (SCW) board, said Nicholas Kelly, SCW president. The three are: Jason Fields, President and CEO of Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadRep); Jim Kitzinger, founding partner of KLCM Advisors, an investment management firm in Wisconsin, and an investor in Milwaukee Forge; and Tammy Olivas, Outreach Director for Hispanics for School Choice (HFSC) since October 2011. “We look forward to the positive impact that these very competent and passionate individuals will…

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Champions Celebrate School Choice at Lambeau Field

January 31, 2022

  Contact: Nicholas Kelly, 414.319.9160  January 31, 2022 BROOKFIELD, WI – Last Friday night, School Choice Wisconsin was proud to host one of the nation’s most significant National School Choice Week events at Lambeau Field. Keynote speaker Governor Tommy Thompson, founding member of the school choice movement, electrified the crowd with a speech about the history of school choice and what the future of the movement holds. He pushed for a path ahead where all families have access to all of our educational options. Wisconsin Right Now has written an account of Governor Thompson’s full speech, which you can read…

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