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January 2003
When taxpayer funded vouchers came to Milwaukee, opponents of parental choice in education warned that it would ruin neighborhoods and destroy public schools.
But just the opposite has happened, according to reports by the American Education Reform Council.
Thanks to educational choice programs, nearly $100 million in completed and planned investments will help build and renovate schools in Milwaukee neighborhoods, according to "Schools that Choice Built."
“Tens of millions in private capital – some spent in partnership with public funds – have been used to build new schools and expand existing ones,” said AERC President Susan Mitchell.
Most projects are in Milwaukee neighborhoods where, according to 2000 Census data, half or more of the residents have an income below 175% of the federal poverty level.
“The projects help stabilize these neighborhoods and take tremendous fiscal pressure off the Milwaukee Public Schools and its taxpayers,” Mitchell said.
"Schools that Choice Built" identifies sixty-five schools, enrolling 16,748 students, where investments of $76 million are completed and an additional $23 million in spending is planned.
Completed and planned investments total $99,308,254, ranging from $1,000 to $8,200,000. The average investment was $1,527,819, with the median investment at $350,000. Twenty-one projects cost more than $1 million, accounting for 90% of all investment.
The report reflects an AERC survey of 133 privately operated Milwaukee schools participating in three programs – vouchers, charters, and partnership schools – that the Wisconsin legislature has created to expand educational options in Milwaukee.
Of 133 schools surveyed (106 private voucher schools, 15 independent charter schools, and 12 private schools in partnership with the Milwaukee Public Schools), 104 responded.
To read the full report, download the PDF below.
Schools that Choice Built
"Education reform spurring inner-city economic growth," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel guest opinion, 3/19/03
"Area schools are building more than just leaders," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/5/03
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