Wisconsin Study Shows Choice Program Students Outperform Traditional Public School Students

The Wisconsin Institute of Law and Liberty (WILL) released a comprehensive study that compared student outcomes in choice programs and traditional public schools, showing better academic outcomes for students participating in the choice programs.
“We are pleased to see that these improved student outcomes continue to reinforce the need for a robust choice program,” said Justin Moralez, State Director of the Wisconsin Federation for Children. “While Milwaukee has numerous choice options, families across the state find it more difficult to find the best educational opportunity. Those families in need will be encouraged to hear about these results, and legislators in the capitol should use this proven data to make bold reforms and sound policy decisions.”
The study is the first to use direct comparison models, using the most recent Forward and ACT exam scores in its evaluations. While this study is filled with extensive data assessment, there are a few notable data points:

• It is clear that choice schools and public charters significantly outperform traditional public schools when poverty levels and race is considered.”
• Students who participate in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) are 5 percent more likely to be proficient in English and 4 percent more likely to be proficient in math than traditional public students.
• Students in the MPCP score on average 2.8 points higher on the ACT than students in traditional public schools.
• In a statewide comparison, schools in the Racine and Wisconsin choice program score 6 points higher on the ACT composite score than traditional public schools.

A full copy of the study can be found here: http://bit.ly/2lre5Ff.