The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Tuesday released a comparison of private school choice students and public school students on the WKCE. The test was given to grades three through eight and 10 last fall.

For Racine Unified, 60 of the 62 private school choice students in those grades were tested, DPI stated. They averaged 50.8 percent proficient or advanced on the WKCE math tests, while Unified students averaged 61.5 percent.

Those private school choice students also scored well below the state average math proficiency of 78.0 and the statewide average for economically disadvantaged students, 64.7 percent, DPI said.

In reading, the private school choice students from Unified averaged 55.7 percent proficient or advanced, compared with the district average of 69.2 percent.

The statewide average was 81.9 percent proficiency in reading and 70.5 percent for economically disadvantaged students.

This is the first year of the voucher program for Racine Unified School District.

About the results, Unified Superintendent Ann Laing responded, “Basically, the scores speak for themselves.”

“And I think when schools take public money, they have to understand there’s some public accountability,” Laing continued. “I think we all have to be held accountable at the same level, with the same tests.”

Told of the results, school vouchers champion state Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said, “I would say that is exactly why we started school choice in Racine. What these test results prove is that Unified failed them.”

Those students now have a better chance at a good education, he said.

Asked how long it might be before results show that kind of improvement over public school students, Vos replied, “I think it will be five to 10 years before we can consistently say a child who goes to a choice school has a better chance for success.”

State tax dollars fund both the Milwaukee and Racine voucher programs which allow students who meet income guidelines to attend private schools. Laing noted the family household income limit to be in the program is $67,000, which she said is considerably greater than the city of Racine family median income.

The DPI said Unified’s new private school voucher program is receiving $1.5 million in state tax dollars while Unified is receiving $16.4 million less in state and categorical aid this school year, a 10.3 percent reduction

Read more: http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/voucher-school-students-scored-below-unified-peers-on-state-standardized/article_3acda8b2-78c8-11e1-88a0-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz1qcKkXBmD

March 9th – Candlelight Vigil : Movie Screening
March 10th – Rally at the Capitol : Art in Protest

We Are Wisconsin, the film
Friday, March 9, 7-10 pm
Orpheum Theatre in Madison
(200 block of State St.)

Join us at the Sneak preview of We Are Wisconsin, a feature-length documentary film by award-winning director Amie Williams that follows the day-to-day unfolding of the public outcry against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s controversial budget-repair bill.

When Wisconsin’s newly elected Governor Scott Walker introduces a bill that threatens to wipe away worker rights and lock out public debate, six ordinary Wisconsinites join thousands of protestors at the State Capitol, building a citizen-driven uprising that not only challenges the bill, but the soul of a nation.

General Administration Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online and any remaining tickets can be purchased at the door. Proceeds will benefit We Are Wisconsin, Inc. (non-tax deductible), a coalition dedicated to voter education and mobilization and assisting disconnected populations.

Candlelight Vigil
Friday, March 9, 6 pm
State Street side of the State Capitol

We will never forget that on March 9, 2011, despite massive citizen protest, Gov. Walker and his legislative allies rammed through the rights-stripping bill in an illegal meeting in the dead of the night.

March and Rally
Saturday, March 10, starting at 1 pm
Capitol Square

On Saturday March 10, Wisconsinites will return to the Capitol to mark the one year anniversary of the passage of Gov. Walker’s union-busting bill. Pre-rally festivities begin at 1 pm with rally speakers taking the stage at 2 pm. Grab your Blue Fist sign, dress for the weather and bring your friends and family down to the State Capitol in support of worker rights.

Free shuttle buses will run from the Alliant Energy Center from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Art in Protest
In response to the censorship of the Art in Protest show, all artists, activists and free people are invited to celebrate our right to free expression.

Friday March 9, 8-11pm
Saturday March 10, 4-11pm
Goodman Community Center
149 Waubesa St, in Madison