10-30-13 school vouchers

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Nearly 80 percent of students who received a taxpayer subsidized voucher to attend private school this year did not attend a Wisconsin public school last year.  The state Department of Public Instruction on Tuesday released its final student counts for those participating in the newly expanded voucher program.  Participating Appleton and Green Bay/Depere private schools have the highest voucher enrollment, each with 53 FTE students.  In Fond du lac,  St. Mary’s Springs Academy has 19 FTE students.  DPI figures show that 21 percent of those receiving vouchers attended a Wisconsin public school last year. The voucher program is touted by its supporters as a way to help students escape poor-performing public schools.  The figures show that 73 percent of students getting vouchers went to a private school last year. Just over 3 percent didn't attend school while 2.4 percent were homeschooled.  The Legislature expanded the voucher program statewide this year but capped enrollment at 500 students.