Abstract

Beyond test scores and past political lines, this research project was conducted to seek answers to the question of why Wisconsin's school voucher parental choice program expanded from Milwaukee to Racine.  It is a program designed to help low socioeconomic families to have the choice of attending private schools instead of the mainstream public schools.  A collection of data provided by the DPI website showed no significant change in the standardized test scores required by the state's Parental Choice Program.  If the scores are not the reason the voucher program continues to expand, then what is the reason?  Is it politics, low socioeconomic families, a failing school district, other reasons?  By interviewing the heads of the private schools that accept vouchers in Racine, the answer is all of the above and none of the above.  No one really knows why but they can speculate. Other reasons that were voiced include student safety, keeping religious schools open, parental support, S.O.A.R. (Scholarships, Opportunities, and Access in Racine), etc.  Through continued investigation, the reason behind Racine's Parental Choice Program may yet be uncovered.