The Wisconsin Institute of Law and Liberty (WILL) filed an amicus brief and a motion to intervene this week on behalf of WCRIS and 21 other parental choice advocates – including WCRIS schools, other advocacy organizations, parents and teachers – in response to the case challenging choice and charter programs in Wisconsin.
Check out the press release here, which features a quote from WCRIS Board Member, Dr. Charles Moore of Impact Christian Schools in Dane County.
Read WILL’s reasons why the court should deny the case here.
But the bottom line is:
- Choice schools enroll over 50,000 students, primarily from low-and-middle-income families. If the choice program is eliminated – especially on such short notice as requested by those who filed the suit – tens of thousands of students would be displaced, and public schools would be overrun with the influx of students. WILL estimates that Milwaukee Public Schools alone would have to purchase 17 additional buildings to accommodate those students.
- Data has shown that choice students are less likely to be involved in criminal activity and more likely to graduate. They also score higher on the Forward Exam.
- There’s strong support for parental choice from all political parties. Recent polls show 70% of Wisconsin voters support school choice.
- Parental choice in education was never intended to hurt or is hurting public schools in the state.
WCRIS recommends reaching out to WILL for talking points about the suit so you’re prepared for questions from families or the media. Contact WILL here.
The Court will now consider 10 briefs and will make a decision on whether to hear the case. We hope by Thanksgiving. Stay tuned to Current Events for updates.
In the meantime, check out this interview about the suit with WILL and WCRIS member Catholic Memorial High School President Donna Bembenek, featured on national television this week.
The Court gave interested parties until this past Tuesday to express whether the court should take up the case.
