On March 1, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 640 as Act 212, which is a school choice “clean up” bill that: Makes changes in the new civics exam graduation requirement. The civics exam is only required of private schools in a choice program. The new law added clarification about handling the exam for [...]
Read More
The Latest
Your source for timely and relevant K-12 school updates
WCRIS Principals Urged to Help Stop Opiate Abuse
March 10, 2016
Private school leaders can use their influence with school families and the community to help fight against the opiate drug abuse problem leading to crime and death in the state, Attorney General Brad Schimel told WCRIS Administrators at the WCRIS annual Leadership Conference recently. After sharing tragic stories of families from all economic, social, religious [...]
Read More
I Spy the Governor and You
March 03, 2016
2016 Conference Recap 2016 WCRIS Leadership Conference from WCRIS on Vimeo. Thank You to the 2016 WCRIS Conference Sponsors
Read More
Order Your 2016-2017 WCRIS Legal Handbook
March 01, 2016
Every WCRIS member school gets one FREE copy of the 2016-2017 handbook as a benefit of membership. It includes all new content, including information on the new state tuition tax deduction, school busing, school lunch programs, the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, the new Special Needs Scholarship Program, and more! WCRIS member schools can order additional [...]
Read More
Gov. Scott Walker Praises WCRIS School Principals
February 15, 2016
Says Parental Choice is Not an Attack on Pubilc Schools Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker reiterated his support for parental choice in education Friday in remarks to the WCRIS Leadership Conference at the Country Springs Conference Center in Waukesha. It was the first time in the organization’s 40-year history that a sitting Governor visited the day-long [...]
Read More
Tax Deduction Saves Private School Parents $11.2 Million
February 05, 2016
New numbers from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue show for the first time the value of the state’s K-12 tuition tax deduction that was promoted and passed through the advocacy of the Wisconsin Council of Religious & Independent Schools (WCRIS) and its members. The deduction saved private school parents and guardians $11.2 million in its [...]
Read More
Feds Say ESSA Will Keep Status Quo in Title Programs for 2016-17
January 28, 2016
A January 28 letter to Chief State School Officers from the U.S. Department of Education says when it comes to formula grants (Title I and Title II) states and school districts “will continue to operate in the 2016-2017 school year under the plans, procedures, and requirements that are in place for the 2015-2016 school year.” [...]
Read More
Gov. Walker Visits WCRIS School, Shares Experiences as Governor
January 27, 2016
On Jan. 8 at Valley Christian School in OshKosh, Governor Walker addressed students and faculty speaking to the importance of schools like theirs to Wisconsin’s future. “Students, like those here at Valley Christian School, are our future and we will continue to enact common sense reforms so they can have the best life possible and [...]
Read More
Gov. Walker Highlights Education in State of the State Address
January 20, 2016
Democrats’ Rebuttal Takes Swipe at Parental Choice Schools Religious and independent K-12 schools were largely off the radar during the State of the State address this week, as Gov. Walker focused on higher education and college affordability. But WCRIS schools did receive a swipe during the official Democratic response to Walker’s speech just moments after [...]
Read More
Congressman Ryan, Newly Elected House Speaker is Long-Time Private Ed Supporter
October 29, 2015
What You Should Know About the New House Speaker U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) was elected the Speaker of the House of Representatives today, a great honor for the State of Wisconsin. In addition to being third in line to the Presidency, Ryan’s leadership will also be decisive for federal policies that impact private K-12 [...]
Read More