School Privatization
Wisconsin students deserve transparent, accountable schools that fully protect their rights and freedoms. Only public schools provide these protections.
Privatization schemes have a negative impact on public school funding, and put children and taxpayers at risk. Politicians and privateers across the country have an intentional and stated goal of destroying public education.
Private programs for the 2023-24 school year cost almost $702 million (source: Legislative Fiscal Bureau).
39% of public schools received less state aid in 2023-24 than 2022-23.
Vouchers:
public funds, private schools
A voucher allows public funds to be allocated to a private school to offset a child's cost of attending that private school, including religious schools. Wisconsin currently funds four separate voucher programs, in addition to providing a tax credit for private school tuition.
Voucher schemes hurt students. They use public funds for private education but are not subject to the same assessment standards, teaching standards, or reporting standards as public schools; they are not overseen by publicly-elected school boards, required to hold public meetings, or subject to public records laws; they are not required to follow all nondiscrimination laws and are not legally required to serve students with disabilities.
These schemes are funded “off the top” of the total pot of money designated for schools. This means the more money we give to vouchers, the more we take away from the vast majority of children, who attend public schools. Nearly 80% of students participating in the statewide Wisconsin Parental Choice Program never attended a public school.
Independent charters:
public funds, limited oversight
Independent charters are publicly-funded charter schools that operate outside of school districts and the control of democratically-elected school boards.
There are a number of independent charter authorizers in Wisconsin. These schools are not held to the same accountability standards as traditional public schools as they operate without the oversight of locally-elected school boards, outside the parameters of the local community, and without equal requirements for administrators or teachers.
Non-district or independent charter schools are distinct from public "instrumentality " charter schools, which operate within a school district and are subject to oversight, authorization, and accountability at the hands of publicly- and locally-elected school boards.
Only public schools are required to protect the rights of students
Parents and caregivers need to know the protections afforded by public schools — private schools are not held to the same requirements.
Acceptance & education
Only public schools are required to accept and educate all students, including students with disabilities and English language learners.
Licensed educators
Only public schools are required to only hire licensed and certified teachers and administrators.
Accountability
Only public schools are accountable to locally elected school boards.
Nondiscrimination
Only public schools must protect students by following state and federal nondiscrimination laws and are prohibited from imposing religious or ideological curriculum.
Support our public schools.
Get informed, get inspired, and take action. Wisconsin kids and their public schools are counting on us.
Find or form a local team of people who care about this issue. Grassroots, local level organizing is the heart of our efforts to defend and support our schools.
Wisconsin voters need to know what upcoming legislation means to our communities and our children, and how lawmakers vote on those measures. Bookmark our tracker to see what lawmakers are voting on – and how they voted – and raise your voice to make sure they know how education policy proposals would impact local students, teachers, and public schools. Find all the legislators that represenbt your school district here.
Help educate your community about the impacts of privitization and the importance of defending public schools. Find inspiration in these powerful LTEs written by public education champions.
Families and taxpayers deserve to know how their public funds are spent. Learn more about local property tax inserts in municipalities & school districts in Wisconsin: Greendale Schools, Milwaukee Public Schools, City of Racine, School District of South Milwaukee.
Stay connected to future actions, workshops, and more here.
Voucher transparency toolkit
Learn more about the impact of vouchers in Wisconsin and what you can do about it.
Download now
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Learn more about privatization with these resources
Find additional information below about how school privatization hurts students and what you can do about it.
- What is an independent charter school?
- 2022-23 funding comparison for Wisconsin Choice Programs
- Charter schools informational paper
- Facts about vouchers
- Telling the real story on school voucher programs
- The true cost of private school voucher programs
- Truth in education funding
- School privatization explained toolkit
- Voucher school scams
- Voucher advocacy
- Voucher research
- Voucher litigation
Additional advocacy opportunities
Vote public
Here’s what you need to know to make sure every vote counts for kids in upcoming elections. Learn about upcoming election dates, find essential voter resources, and more. #VotePublic
Referenda
Learn more about why so many schools in Wisconsin are going to referenda and find resources for local advocacy teams about how you can spearhead and support referenda efforts in your community.
School board
Thinking of running for school board in the future? Want to get to know your local candidates and educate voters about the individuals running for school board in your district? Find resources here.
