Most of the Democratic gubernatorial candidates gathered this week at the Wisconsin Worker’s Forum to discuss such issues as the economy, the plight of the working class, and education.
It was a mostly predictable event, but three of the six candidates expressed their desired to end School Choice in the state permanently: Frontrunner Francesca Hong, former Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes (a product of private grade schools), and Kelda Roys (who is endorsed by WEAC, Wisconsin’s largest teacher’s union).
Each candidate regurgitated the typical myths about School Choice, spitting out such outrageous misrepresentations that they all came across as deeply dishonest. That was bad enough, but the fact that these candidates want to banish School Choice should alarm the tens of thousands of parents who depend on Parental Choice Programs to give their children educational opportunities they would not get in a public setting.
A huge portion of these families are Black and Hispanic parents in Milwaukee specifically, trying to get their children out of declining, unsafe, or under‑resourced public schools. This is not an incontestable tide. It is a parental movement.
Right now, Wisconsin has 60,972 students enrolled in its four school‑choice programs statewide; the highest level ever recorded.
This includes:
-Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP): ~29,732 students
-Racine Parental Choice Program (RPCP): ~4,185 students
-Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP – statewide): ~21,638 students
-Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP): ~3,068 students
With School Choice numbers increasing rapidly, how can these candidates ignore the growing trend of parents wanting their children in Parental Choice Programs? And why do they want to condemn them to deeply dysfunctional public schools?
Obviously, it’s because they are looking for the coveted support of Wisconsin teachers unions and ultimately want to repeal Act 10, which took away tremendous amounts of power and influence from those unions. In fact, every one of the six candidates at this week’s forum indicated that they would repeal Act 10 if elected.
This would cost taxpayers billions and allow the teacher’s unions to build back their political power. Their greed was what made Act 10 necessary in the first place! Since its passage, though, teachers union membership in Wisconsin has fallen significantly from nearly 98% in 2012 to around 45% this year. The 54% decline is the steepest in the nation. It’s not a coincidence that Wisconsin’s taxpayers are saving money because of it. Act 10 has saved an estimated $35 billion since it was passed 15 years ago.
School Choice educational costs are also far less than public schools. Choice schools produce better academic outcomes than their public counterparts and provide safer environments. Best of all, School Choice empowers families to choose schools that fit their values and interests.
Where would the students enrolled in those schools go if the Democratic candidates get their way and eliminate School Choice? Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is facing major cutbacks to balance a $46 million deficit. If the district was suddenly flooded with 30,000 additional students, it would face extreme staffing shortages, cuts to critical resources, and even larger class sizes.
The candidates at the Wisconsin Workers’ Forum talked a big game about fighting for working‑class families but ignored the resounding message those very families have been sending for decades: “We want options for our kids.”
School Choice is not a failed experiment. It is a lifeline for many families across the state. Ignoring their wishes and pledging to end the program that is lifting up their children should show every voter just who these candidates really stand for.
