On Thursday, Wisconsin Congressional Reps. Gwen Moore and Mark Pocan helped introduce the “Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act,” which aims to eliminate the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), which was included in President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
To many families, this new legislation is yet another attempt by Democrats to halt the expansion of School Choice. Right now, the bill does not directly affect Wisconsin families because Governor Evers vetoed the legislation that would have allowed our state to participate in the federal program.
The “Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act” would redirect funding back into public school systems and, in so doing, take power away from families wanting to participate in the expanded School Choice program. Moore and Pocan have leaned on misleading claims terming School Choice “vouchers,” “schemes,” and suggesting these schools are for the wealthy.
“It’s not like you’re encouraging education in any way,” Pocan said, “it’s just you’re giving a tax break to some of the wealthiest.”
“It disproportionately benefits wealthy students who already attend private schools, and they sap monies from our public schools, which disproportionately and especially hurts rural students and students with disabilities,” Moore added. “Voucher schemes even worsened segregation in our schools.”
The facts tell a different story. 61,000 Wisconsin families currently participate in School Choice. Milwaukee has the oldest and largest School Choice program in the nation, serving nearly 30,000 students across more than 130 private schools. Over 70% of Milwaukee Parental Choice Program families are Black or Hispanic, including many from Rep. Moore’s own district.
Families are choosing these schools because the alternative is failing them. In Milwaukee Public Schools, 73% of 4th graders cannot read at the basic reading level, with outcomes significantly worse than state and national averages.
For decades, Milwaukee parents, especially Black and Hispanic families, have only had one broken system to choose from. School Choice did not create that reality. School Choice offered a way out.
Wisconsin families know what works for their children whether it be a public or private school. Families will continue to fight for the freedom to choose the education that best suits their family’s needs.
Instead of attacking the program that parents rely on, Moore and Pocan should be asking why so many families feel they have no other choice. School Choice is not the problem. The system that keeps failing families is. No bill in Washington will silence the need for educational reforms.
School Choice is part of that reform, and it has proven itself to be successful. School Choice has earned the support for expansion and for federally funded support.
