Wisconsin Right Now

Support for educational freedom is strong in Wisconsin and could hurt Gov. Evers at the ballot box, a poll found. Most Wisconsinites favor the Wisconsin School Choice program, with more than half of independents and Republicans supporting it, a new poll shows. The poll also shows that Gov. Tony Evers' opposition to school choice is hurting him with the crucial independent voting base needed to win re-election. The poll shows that 56% of people favor the Wisconsin School Choice program. Only 26% oppose it. Even 36% of Democrats support it. Support is strong among independents, with 54% favoring it and 25% not favoring it. Among Republicans, 77% favor it, and 11% do not. Voters were asked, "As you may know, Governor Evers strongly opposes opening up Wisconsin’s School Choice program to every family in the state. Does this make you more or less likely to vote for Evers for re-election this fall?" In the poll, 46% said it would make them less likely to vote for Ever...

Many Wisconsin children "have lost up to a year of progress in districts that paid more attention to demands from organizations than parents," the report says. All Wisconsin parents deserve the right to choose the best school for their children at a time that the pandemic has sparked a great parental awakening in the state, according to a major policy report on Wisconsin school choice released by Common Sense Wisconsin. The report, issued August 17, 2021, calls for universal, informed parental school choice throughout Wisconsin to improve educational outcomes, along with other measures designed to empower parents. It builds on the past successes of the school choice movement in the state. The organization is calling for "bold initiatives that wrest control over education from decision-makers in Madison and instead put parents fully in control of their children's opportunities," a press release says. Read the full POWER blueprint here. The push to expan...