An informational session on the concept of combining the state’s three school choice programs into one program was hosted by the DPI this week. WCRIS attended at the department’s invitation.
The DPI covered some of the proposed changes that they’re considering with the support of School Choice Wisconsin (SCW), which added its input. Over 160 people attended. Nothing was said about the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP).
Changes will be sought this legislative session, but wouldn’t be rolled out until the 2026-27 school year when the public school district limits on choice participation end, according to the DPI. This timeline also provides adequate time for the department to update its electronic processes.
The goal of the rework is to streamline the processes that choice schools have to navigate, taking advantage of the DPI’s technological abilities. In turn, these “technical changes” should reduce the workload of the DPI, school leaders and parents, they said.
What’s Not on the Table
The DPI/SCW tag-team has agreed to not address specific program policy so they won’t be discussing things like divergent voucher amounts; the new crime reporting requirement; new reading requirements; enrollment eligibility (family income or poverty level threshold); or student entry points. Rather, they’re looking to make technical process changes.
The Devil Is In the Details
WCRIS believes that attempts to make bureaucracy less cumbersome and more efficient for schools are certainly needed and laudable. But there are several questions and concerns that need to be addressed:
- The efficacy of the changes will hinge on the details. A rework could have unintended consequences for schools and parents. For example, the reading bill started out as four pages that WCRIS could support, but then quickly turned into a detailed, 40-page bill that WCRIS had to oppose. And although our efforts were successful to change some details of the looming crime reporting requirement, it’s still problematic. Without paying attention to the details, helpful changes could swiftly turn into unintended consequences.
- Having three separate choice programs and the SNSP is sometimes a headache for schools. Yet, it creates more diversity for families. As they are now, statutory changes can be made to address the specific needs of the geographic regions each program serves. This could disappear if they are distilled to one program. The largest pool of students would reside in the Milwaukee and Racine areas, which could result in the needs of urban environments outweighing the needs of rural schools. One size does not fit all.
- Unifying the programs creates a larger and simpler target. For example, the current lawsuit challenging the choice programs filed before the State Supreme Court has to make arguments for four separate programs. Combining the programs would create a simpler argument for parental choice opponents. Currently, opponents have to learn the vagaries of four programs. A rework could make their job easier.
- Standardization of programs doesn’t always work. An example of this is the USDA lunch program, which has recently been standardized for all schools nationwide. Because of the changes in the current administration and cultural values, the program became undesirable for many WCRIS schools overnight.
- WCRIS is concerned that a choice program rework could push schools into operating like a second system of public schools. Our schools could never do that. The mission and values of private schools are what attracts many families and fulfills their staff. WCRIS won’t allow our schools to be influenced to abandon their unique identities for the sake of standardization.
- WCRIS is fully aware that ever-changing cultural norms and shifts in societal beliefs are posing unprecedented and existential challenges to private schools’ mission and values. We’re wary that the ease of computerization and standardization of DPI/public school values and practices could become a trap for private schools.
- Timing is everything. With a lawsuit challenging parental choice looming, this may not be the time for standardization – however worthy.
Earlier this month, the DPI sought input from WCRIS on the rework, but had few details to share. Now that more is known, WCRIS will be providing feedback to the department.
WCRIS also spoke with the DPI this week during our biweekly call, thanking them for their effort to simplify the program. However, WCRIS staff urged caution about the law of unintended consequences.
Stay tuned to Current Events for updates on any proposed changes.
