Wisconsin Legislature Passes Budget Expanding Nation's Oldest School Choice Program

Bill's provisions will increase options for families in Milwaukee and Racine counties

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thousands of additional Wisconsin children will have access to greater educational options following Thursday night's passage of budget provisions that will significantly expand the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) in size and scope.

The American Federation for Children—the nation's voice for school choice—today praised both the Wisconsin State Assembly and the State Senate for passing the state's 2011-2012 budget, which contains language calling for a substantial increase in income eligibility for the program, the removal of the cap on the number of participants, expansion to the Racine school district, as well as participants to be able to attend schools anywhere in Wisconsin.

The expansion follows a poll released last month by AFC that found strong support for school choice in Racine, including support from majorities of Republicans and Independents and a plurality of Democrats.

"We thank the leadership in the legislature for delivering this victory to low- and middle-income families across Wisconsin," said AFC Chairman Betsy DeVos. "For the past 20 years, thousands of lives have been improved as a result of parental choice in Milwaukee, and now more families in Milwaukee and Racine will have that chance at a brighter future, too."

The budget's school choice provisions will give the MPCP—the nation's oldest private school choice program—the broadest participation of any voucher program in the country. A study conducted early this year by a professor at the University of Minnesota showed that students participating in the MPCP, which was enacted in 1990, graduate at rates that are 18 points higher than students in Milwaukee Public Schools. It is also estimated that the MPCP will save Wisconsin taxpayers more than $50 million this fiscal year, according to an exhaustive evaluation of the program conducted late last year.

A provision that would have also extended a voucher program to Green Bay was removed from the budget before the final vote, despite the fact that last month's poll also found majority support for school choice there.

The Senate finally passed the budget late last night, less than 24 hours after the Assembly passed the legislation in the early-morning hours on Thursday.

Gov. Walker said in a statement released following the bill's passage that he plans to sign the legislation before the end of the month.

For more information, visit www.FederationForChildren.org.

SOURCE American Federation for Children