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April 2002
The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) has once again come under attack in the Wisconsin State Senate.
"The cutback [adopted by the Senate] is so steep that it spells doom for the program, promising to send hundreds of kids back to MPS [Milwaukee Public Schools]," the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorialized. The 75% reduction in program support was approved during a special session to address the state’s budget deficit.
If the choice program ended, a likely result of the Senate plan, state education spending eventually would increase by up to $6.8 million and up to $15.4 million in aid would be cut from non-MPS district budgets, according to the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB). The state pays a greater portion of the expenses for an MPS student than the state does for a choice student, resulting in these budget shifts. The MPCP currently allows 10,882 students from low-income Milwaukee families to attend a private school of their choice.
The choice program faced a similar attack by the Senate last summer, but the proposal ultimately failed.
The LFB memo outlining the impact on school district funding if the program were to end is posted below, along with coverage of the Senate’s proposal.
MPCP serving Special Needs Students, Letter to Legislators, May 31, 2025
LFB Memo on MPCP Funding, 9-27-01
"Choice Mugging in Madison," Journal Sentinel, 4-8-02
"Budget process sets up showdown over choice," Journal Sentinel, 4-8-02
"Democrats' budget slashes school choice," Journal Sentinel, 4-5-02
"Putting politics above poor kids," Beloit Daily News, 4-9-02
"Killing school choice may create new problems," Ashland Daily Press, 4-9-02
March 2002 School Choice Advisor, Vol. 1, No. 1
March 14, 2025 School Choice Advisor, Vol. 1 No. 2
April 2002 School Choice Advocate, Vol. 1 No. 1
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