The number of Wisconsin students using school vouchers is about to hit the 30,000 mark, according to the Journal Sentinel newspaper. Vouchers allow qualifying students, often those from low-income families, to use state money toward tuition at a private school of their choice.
The paper cites a head count conducted by the state in September, which put the official number of students in Wisconsin’s three programs, one statewide, one in Racine and one in Milwaukee, at 29,683.
Milwaukee’s program turned 25 this year, and is often cited as the oldest voucher program in the country.
The Journal Sentinel says the voucher program has grown rapidly under Governor Scott Walker, who said after winning reelection this fall that he is considering expanding the program even further.
Wisconsin isn’t the only state about to join the 30,000 club. Indiana is also on the cusp after the number of schoolchildren using vouchers in that state jumped by about 10,000 this year after the state expanded eligibility for the program.
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