Lighthouse is now home to the largest number of voucher students in Madison. A majority of the school’s students identify as Hispanic or Black, and nearly all are from low-income households. The school’s website says, “We are facing unprecedented demand with 150 children on our waitlist as of fall 2024.”
Lighthouse and other private voucher schools have grown as the state has continuously increased support for choice programs. Two years ago, lawmakers approved the largest investment in state history for Wisconsin’s voucher programs.
A cap on the number of students from each school district who can participatein the statewide voucher program has risen one percentage point each year since 2017-18. By the 2026-27 school year, the enrollment limit will be lifted.
This school year, over 58,000 Wisconsin students are attending private schools using vouchers, about 3,800 more than last school year, according to Department of Public Instruction figures. Over 400 private schools — including 11 in Madison — intend to participate in one of Wisconsin’s three school choice programs next fall, up from 344 this year.
Over 500 students are using vouchers to attend private schools in Madison. More than 25,000 are enrolled in the city’s public schools.
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The taxpayer funded Madison School District long used Reading Recovery…
The data clearly indicate that being able to read is not a requirement for graduation at (Madison) East, especially if you are black or Hispanic”
My Question to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Teacher Mulligans and our Disastrous Reading Results
2017: West High Reading Interventionist Teacher’s Remarks to the School Board on Madison’s Disastrous Reading Results
Madison’s taxpayer supported K-12 school district, despite spending far more than most, has long tolerated disastrous reading results.
“An emphasis on adult employment”
Wisconsin Public Policy Forum Madison School District Report[PDF]
WEAC: $1.57 million for Four Wisconsin Senators
Friday Afternoon Veto: Governor Evers Rejects AB446/SB454; an effort to address our long term, disastrous reading results
Booked, but can’t read (Madison): functional literacy, National citizenship and the new face of Dred Scott in the age of mass incarceration.
When A Stands for Average: Students at the UW-Madison School of Education Receive Sky-High Grades. How Smart is That?
