Launched 1990–91
Eligible low-income families in Milwaukee, Wisconsin may send their children to a participating private school of their choice.
New legislation in 2011 significantly increased the number of families and schools eligible to participate in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. Now, children from all families earning up to 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g., about $67,000 for a family of four) will qualify to receive school vouchers. The cap on the number of students who can participate will be removed, and as a result, it is estimated that about 84,000 Milwaukee families—or more than 65 percent of all Milwaukee families—will be eligible to participate. Once a student receives a voucher, that student will be able to keep it, regardless of his or her family’s future income. The new rules also stipulate that parents earning between 200 percent and 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines can add their own funds on top of the voucher, which will give them a wider array of options. Voucher students are now allowed to attend any participating private school in the state.
Latest Stats (2010)
- Students Participating: 20,189
- Schools Participating: 102
- Average Voucher Value: $6,442
Program Details
Program Type
Voucher
Scholarship/Voucher Value
The 2009 Wisconsin budget cut the maximum voucher amount from $6,607 in 2008–09 to $6,442 in 2009–10 and 2010–11. After 2010–11, the maximum voucher payment will increase by a percentage equal to the percentage increase in general school aid to Wisconsin public schools. The voucher may not exceed the private school’s per-student costs, including operating expenses and debt service.
Participation
In 2010-11, 20,189 students used vouchers at 102 private schools.
Student Eligibility
Students who live in Milwaukee and whose family income does not exceed 300 percent of the federal poverty level (about $67,000 for a family of four in 2011) are eligible to receive a voucher. Participating private schools must accept voucher students at random if they have more applicants than open seats, although preference is given to siblings of current participants.
Legal Developments
In June 2011, the ACLU filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, alleging that the Milwaukee voucher program violates federal laws prohibiting discrimination against students with disabilities.
In 1998, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that the Milwaukee voucher program does not violate either the state’s Compelled Support Clause or Blaine Amendment. The court also affirmed the conclusions of Davis (1992), an earlier uniformity challenge to the school choice program. Jackson v. Benson, 218 Wis. 2d 835, 578 N.W.2d 602 (1998), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 967 (1998)
Rules & Regulations
- Income Limit: 300% x Poverty
- Geographic Limit: District (Milwaukee)
- Enrollment Cap: None
- Voucher Cap: $6,442
- Testing Mandates: Yes-National
Governing Statutes
Wisconsin Statues, Section 119.23
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