Assembly Passes Bill to Expand Eligibility for Wisconsin Parental Choice Program
Milwaukee, Wisc. May 11, 2021 — This afternoon, Assembly Bill 59 passed the Wisconsin Assembly with a 60-36 vote. The bill increases the income threshold for parents who want to enroll in Wisconsin’s Parental Choice program to 300% of the federal poverty level, or about $78,000 a-year for a family of four.
“We are pleased to see that the bill has passed and will progress to the Senate,” says Wisconsin Federation for Children State Director Justin Moralez. “Thank you to the bill’s authors and sponsors as well as the assembly members who voted to support educational choice for families across our state.”
Wisconsin’s statewide Parental Choice Program was enacted and launched in 2013. The program offers school vouchers to students whose families meet certain income qualifications and are not assigned to the Milwaukee Public Schools or Racine Unified school districts.
At the current income threshold level, 220% of the federal poverty level (only $56,650 for a family of 4), essential workers such as a single nurse or educator with a stay at home spouse could be disqualified from eligibility for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program based on their income.
The bill brings equality to the income requirements in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, the Racine Parental Choice Program, and the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program and expands eligibility and access for more families.
A recent poll from Real Clear Opinion Research shows increasing bipartisan support for school choice, especially as parents search for more K-12 education options in the time of COVID-19.
To write a letter to your Senator in support of S.B. 41 and educational choice, visit: https://p2a.co/hC1tzDj.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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When I was a student in Catholic schools through my K-12 education, I was part of a vital religious community in which every student learns and practiced the teachings of the Church. With the influx of choice students who do not share the deep commitment to the Catholic faith, how can these schools continue to be faithful to the Catholic teachings? Church leaders are compromising the Catholic teachings while they chase State funding because families choose not to support their parish schools.