Conversations on literacy instruction and policy are heating up in Wisconsin. Just today, WCRIS monitored a joint Assembly and Senate Education committee meeting at the state Capitol about potential strategies to improve literacy in Wisconsin. A body of research called the “Science of Reading” – which emphasizes phonics instruction – was the centerpiece of the conversations [...]
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Your source for timely and relevant K-12 school updates
Getting the State Tuition Tax Deduction
March 02, 2023
People shouldn’t have to hire an accountant to file their annual taxes, but taxes are more complicated every year, and families who use online services or software to help them may not be getting what they need to collect the Wisconsin K-12 private school tuition tax deduction, WCRIS has learned. It appears from WCRIS research [...]
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First Busing Deadline Looming
March 02, 2023
The first issue WCRIS ever tackled, back in the 1960s, was private school students’ right to transportation. Much has changed since then, but one thing hasn’t: WCRIS is still the expert on busing. To make sure your students have their rightful access to transportation to and from school, you must submit your proposed attendance areas to [...]
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Stronger Connections Grant Program
March 02, 2023
WCRIS was also asked by the DPI today to share an opportunity for schools to provide their input on the Stronger Connections Grant Program. Wisconsin has been awarded $12.5 million for the ESSA program. It’s housed under Title IV and seeks to support healthy and safe students. This is not a pandemic grant program. The DPI [...]
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Principal Question: Busing and Snow Days?
February 23, 2023
Question: Over the last month, it seems more common for school districts to quickly call for snow days that are actually online learning days, while private schools continue to have in-person classes. Who is responsible for the payment of the bus run for a “snow day”? Could you share with me what we are responsible [...]
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Another Great Awakening?
February 23, 2023
An estimated 50,000 people have flocked to a spontaneous outpouring of non-stop, student-led prayer at the Methodist Asbury University in rural Kentucky, overwhelming the local infrastructure and drawing praise from former Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan. Cardinal Dolan is now the Archbishop of New York. A historian by training, Dolan talks about faith and reason and the role of religion in education [...]
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Thank You, Sponsors!
February 23, 2023
WCRIS would like to welcome two new sponsors in 2023. Because of their generosity, your membership dues stay low and member benefits such as our Lunch & Learn webinar series stay free. WCRIS annual dues are about half the cost of other organizations while we engage on a broader range of issues. Amplify Education Amplify is [...]
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Nominations for Christian Teacher of the Year
February 23, 2023
The Herzog Foundation, a national organization that promotes K-12 Christian education, asked WCRIS to share its 2023 Christian Teacher of the Year Awards. Twelve exemplary Christian teachers from around the country will be selected as awardees and will receive a monetary prize and a free trip to Washington, D.C. to accept their award. Nominations are due [...]
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Gov. Unveils Proposed Budget
February 16, 2023
WCRIS’ visits to Legislators have begun, and now they’re all talking about the Governor’s newly introduced budget. It calls for several initiatives for Wisconsin’s public schools and freezing school choice, among many other things. Gov. Evers said last night that his state budget would invest over $2.6 billion in K-12 education to address: the student [...]
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WCRIS Webinars: Science of Reading; Transportation
February 16, 2023
“Science of Reading” In the wake of poor literacy test scores, research and legislative initiatives around the “Science of Reading” have swept the nation, including Wisconsin. But what is that? WCRIS has partnered with an Amplify Education literacy specialist to bring you a relevant webinar that will explore the “Science of Reading” and nine proven points of [...]
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