Walker's School Voucher Program Would Expand to Waukesha

Gov. Scott Walker announced a plan that would expand school vouchers to families in suburbs like Waukesha who have underperforming schools.

Vouchers are currently available to low income families in Racine and Milwaukee. Walker is proposing to expand the program to eight other school districts in the state.

“Every child, regardless of their zip code, deserves access to a great education,” said Walker in a release.  “While it is our goal to help struggling schools succeed, we need to make sure students and parents can choose the best option and make sure each child receives a truly great education.”

The choice program will be open to school districts with at least two underperforming schools who receive school report card grades of "fails to meet expectations" or "meets few expectations"; has at least 4,000 students; and at least 20 students intending to participate in the program.

Last year four Waukesha schools received low grades and were categorized as "meets few expectations."

This expansion will be capped at 500 students statewide for 2014 and 1,000 students statewide for 2015.  Eligibility requirements for students would be similar to current choice program eligibility requirements.

WISN reports that some Senate Republicans have indicated they are unlikely to go along with voucher expansion and Democrats have criticized the voucher expansion plan.