Wisconsin school choice students show higher academic gains

A peer-reviewed study by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) found that low- and middle-income students in Wisconsin's private school choice programs achieved greater academic gains in reading compared to their public-school peers.

Analyzing data from over 100,000 students between the 2018-19 and 2022-23 school years, the research focused on English/Language Arts performance on the Wisconsin Forward Exam. The findings indicate that the longer students participate in choice programs, such as the Milwaukee, Racine, and statewide Wisconsin Parental Choice Programs, the better their average academic results. Specifically, students in the Milwaukee and statewide programs who participated for four or more years gained the equivalent of one additional year of education.

WILL Research Director Will Flanders stated, “This groundbreaking research provides some of the clearest evidence yet; school choice is a win for students.” The study noted that these voucher-funded programs cost the state $5,000 less per K-8 student and $2,500 less per high school student than public school options.