School Choice Facts

Impact on Public Schools

Legislative History

Legal Action

Enrollment Growth

Demographics and Racial Balance

Cost and Fiscal Impact

Evaluations and Research

For More Information

Legislative History

In 1990, the Democratic-controlled Wisconsin Legislature and Republican Governor Tommy Thompson enacted the MPCP. Initially, the program allowed a maximum of 1% of the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) enrollment - about 1,000 students - to attend non-religious private schools. The cap was raised to 1.5% in 1993. Responding to growing program support, in 1995 the Legislature and Governor raised the cap to 15% and allowed low-income parents to choose among non-religious and religious schools. Following a three-year legal challenge, this program expansion first took effect in the 1998-99 school year.

In 2001, the Wisconsin State Senate proposed reducing the value of an MPCP voucher by 50% and freezing enrollment. The full Legislature did not approve these provisions. Again in 2002 the State Senate approved major cuts in the value of an MPCP voucher. These cuts did not receive final legislative approval.

In November 2002 Wisconsin elections, MPCP opponents in the Senate lost majority control of that body. Majorities in both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature now favor continuation of the MPCP. Democratic Governor James Doyle says he does not support new attacks on the MPCP and favors the program “in its current configuration.” In 2003 Gov. Doyle vetoed a bill that directed Wisconsin’s nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau to conduct a longitudinal study of the MPCP. Gov. Doyle also vetoed bills to lift the 15% MPCP enrollment cap and to end certain eligibility restrictions in current law. Most recently, Gov. Doyle vetoed AB3, the one-year reprieve bill which would have slightly lifted the cap while a permanent solution could be reached. For information on recent legislative activity, see www.SchoolChoiceWi.org.

On March 3 2006, the state Senate passed SB 618, the school choice compromise bill. A day earlier the state Assembly passed the identical AB 1057. The bill:

o Lifts the cap on the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program to 22,500 students.
o Repeals the prior year eligibility requirements.
o Raises family income eligibility to 220% of the poverty level once a student is in the program.
o Mandates accreditation (Schools approved for PAVE scholarships in the 2005-2006 school year are exempt from this requirement).
o Mandates standardized testing as part of a longitudinal study.
o Provides $25 million in new SAGE money for public schools.

The bill was signed into law by Governor Jim Doyle (D).

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