Wisconsin Gubernatorial Candidates Oppose School Choice Programs
In a recent town hall, Democratic candidates for Wisconsin’s governor, state Rep. Francesca Hong and former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Burns, committed to abolishing school choice initiatives in the state.
At the same time, a progressive legal group called Law Forward has initiated a lawsuit aimed at ending the school choice program in Wisconsin, claiming it contradicts the state constitution. A 2000 ruling from the state Supreme Court stipulated that vouchers could only be granted if the legislature ensured “adequate resources” for traditional public schools. Currently, Milwaukee Public Schools receive about $25,000 in funding per student, but Law Forward contends that this is woefully inadequate.
Interestingly, the Wisconsin Supreme Court may be inclined to side with this perspective, having shifted to a progressive majority in 2023.
Regardless of the outcomes of these endeavors, many believe such actions would be detrimental to the 60,000 students in Wisconsin’s choice programs and hurt the Democratic Party’s reputation. It suggests a preference to appease teachers’ unions and progressive factions over genuinely addressing the educational needs of students.
Wisconsin Superintendent Advocates for the Elimination of School Choice
Milwaukee is notable for being home to the nation’s first voucher program established back in 1990, created through the collaboration of Republican Governor Tommy Thompson and local civil rights organizations. Notably, this initiative gained traction primarily because of its civil rights framework, rather than liberal or religious arguments.
Attorney Clint Bolick, in his book “Voucher Wars,” recounts how African-American parents rallied at court sessions to support vouchers. The Wall Street Journal highlighted this movement, with Bolick himself mentioning that it marked a significant moment in elevating the civil rights discussion within the school choice arena.
One key outcome of choice policies is that students who receive vouchers gain access to educational institutions they might not otherwise afford. Those attending participating schools are statistically more likely to go to college and avoid criminal activities as adults.
Competition from School Choice Drives Improvement
Interestingly, wealthier families are already capitalizing on their resources to move into affluent neighborhoods with effective schools. Vouchers essentially extend this opportunity to broader segments of the population.
Moreover, the unexpected beneficiaries of school choice appear to be those remaining in traditional public schools. Research on the “competitive effect” of these programs indicates that the competition posed by charter schools and private institutions pushes public schools to enhance their student outcomes. Well-meaning intentions may be admirable, but systemic change often relies on economic pressures.
Recent analysis in Education Next by researcher Patrick Graff contrasted the effects of increased funding on academic success with the pressures caused by school choice. He found that Florida’s choice program resulted in far better public school outcomes compared to similar funding directly allocated to public schools, an observation mirrored in Milwaukee as well.
The Push Against School Choice in Wisconsin
Currently, Wisconsin finds itself at the front lines of a larger Democratic strategy to dismantle school choice policies. In Illinois, Democrats are attempting various referendums to curtail choice policies, and additional proposals are surfacing across the country to impose strict regulations on educational freedom.
The civil rights foundation of Milwaukee’s voucher program established in 1990 remains a significant part of the discussion around school choice—this partnership won support through civil rights discourse rather than solely through liberal or religious debates.
However, the opposition against school choice doesn’t have to prevail. Florida stands as an example where Republican Governor Ron DeSantis effectively highlighted the opposing stance of his Democratic rival, Andrew Gillum. Ultimately, DeSantis gained a notable following from those concerned with school choice, including many African American women.
While the struggle continues, it presents important lessons for other states. The future of vouchers, tax credit incentives, and educational savings accounts hangs in the balance as even moderate Democrats question the availability of educational choices. Dismantling these programs could mark a win for Democrats but a significant setback for children and their families seeking quality education.
