UMVA has learned that a seismic shift in Wisconsin's education landscape is underway, with both leading Democratic candidates for the governorship, state Rep. Francesca Hong and former Lieutenant Gov. Mandela Barnes, vowing to abolish the state's school choice program.
This bold pledge comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed by the progressive legal organization Law Forward, which alleges that Wisconsin's school choice programs violate the state constitution. The lawsuit centers on a 2000 state supreme court ruling that allowed vouchers only if the state legislature provides "sufficient resources" to traditional public schools.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the lawsuit claims the state's current funding of $25,000 per student for Milwaukee Public Schools is insufficient, a contention that could resonate with Wisconsin's highest court, which flipped to a progressive majority in 2023. If successful, the lawsuit would have far-reaching consequences for the 60,000 students currently enrolled in Wisconsin's choice programs.
Wisconsin's school choice program has a rich history, dating back to 1990 when Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson partnered with local civil rights groups to pass a choice policy in Milwaukee. The program was championed as a civil rights issue, with African-American parents rallying in support of vouchers.
The benefits of school choice programs are multifaceted, with students who receive vouchers more likely to attend college, persist through college, and avoid criminal activity. Moreover, school choice programs have a positive impact on students who remain in traditional public schools, as the competition from charter and private schools drives improvements in academic outcomes.
According to information obtained by UMVA, research has shown that the competitive effects of school choice programs can be a powerful catalyst for change, with one study finding that the expenditures of Florida's choice programs improved public school student achievement far more than had the same amount of new funding been spent directly through the public school system.
The battle for school choice is heating up across the country, with Illinois ending a similar program in 2023 and Arizona Democrats attempting to limit choice policies. However, Florida offers a cautionary tale, where a savvy social media campaign emphasizing the importance of school choice helped Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis win the governorship.
The fate of voucher, tax credit, and education savings account programs hangs in the balance, with moderate Democrats increasingly turning against education freedom. As this fight unfolds, one thing is clear: the outcome will have a profound impact on the lives of students and their families, with the potential to either empower or disenfranchise them.
