This post originally appeared at https://schoolchoicewi.org/wisconsins-k-12-best-buy-private-school-choice/
Private School Choice in Wisconsin Delivers –
Stronger Results, Lower Cost
Official data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) show that schools in the state’s private school choice programs continue to outperform their public school peers while operating with substantially less funding.
In 2023-24, DPI Report Card scores for the Milwaukee, Racine, and statewide Wisconsin Parental Choice Programs were all higher than the scores for the corresponding public school districts. Yet, per-pupil revenue in choice schools was thousands of dollars less.
“DPI gives choice schools higher Report Card scores even though they receive substantially less revenue,” said Brenda White, chair, School Choice Wisconsin Board of Directors. “School choice is Wisconsin’s most cost-effective K-12 investment.”
“DPI’s favorable ranking of school choice confirms that Wisconsin’s education policy should be grounded in giving parents options,” said Scott Manley, Executive Vice President of Government Relations at Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and co-chair of the Wisconsin Coalition for Education Freedom.
2023-24 Report Card Scores & Revenue per Pupil
Measuring Cost-Effectiveness
School Choice Wisconsin’s Cost-Effectiveness Index (CEI) calculates Report Card performance per $1,000 of revenue. By this measure, private choice schools are:
- 76% more productive than Milwaukee Public Schools
- 46% more productive than Racine Unified
- 33% more productive than statewide public schools outside Milwaukee and Racine
These results are based on conservative assumptions, excluding federal aid (where public schools have an advantage) and comparing income-restricted choice program students to all public school students. A like-to-like income comparison would likely show an even larger productivity gap.
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