All choice school staff have to complete the DPI’s mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect training within six months after hire and at least every five years after, according to state law. School staff must complete the DPI’s training to fulfill the requirement. Training created by schools’ jurisdictions or other organizations doesn’t count. Schools [...]
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Current Events
A library of WCRIS weekly E-letters that keeps you updated on issues of concern to private schools
35 Results found for category: Choice
Breaking News: Possible School Choice Expansion
June 08, 2023
The Democratic governor and Wisconsin’s top Republican legislative leaders appear to have reached an agreement today for a shared revenue bill that will aid all municipalities – especially Milwaukee – and boost funding for K-12 schools by $1 billion between state aid and property tax revenue. The boost includes an increase in school choice vouchers [...]
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Choice Schools: Moving Forward with Your Mission
May 11, 2023
A recent article scrutinized several WCRIS member schools’ administration of the Parental Choice Programs. WCRIS schools are operating in accordance with their missions and beliefs and are compliant with the laws that regulate the choice programs. We encourage you to revisit the six points from last week’s Current Events story if you are participating in or considering [...]
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School Choice: Looking to the Future
May 04, 2023
As the Legislature hashes out the state budget due by June 30, WCRIS has fielded questions about the Parental Choice Programs. Though it’s unlikely that the Democratic governor will sign anything from the Republican legislature that advances or expands school choice, it’s equally as unlikely that the Republican legislature will help any effort that harms [...]
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Choice Schools: Input Needed
March 16, 2023
Proposed Assembly Bill 77 and its companion Senate Bill 74 would allow schools in the three Parental Choice Programs to offer an automatic application process to families of students participating in the choice programs. The bills don’t reference the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP). According to the bills, students would automatically be able to attend the school under the [...]
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Choice Schools: Reimbursement for Mental Health Services
February 09, 2023
State funds are available to aid Parental Choice Program schools in hiring or retaining social workers. Reimbursements are permitted if the cost of the social worker’s salary or fringe benefits is higher than the previous school year. Read the DPI’s definition of “social worker” here. Claims for the 2021-22 school year must be submitted by March [...]
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DPI to Choice Schools: New Compliance Requirements
January 19, 2023
WCRIS has been conferring with the DPI regarding new documentation of training requirements for mandatory reporting in choice schools. After soliciting and obtaining WCRIS’ input, the DPI told WCRIS earlier today that it plans to release updated guidance soon. The guidance requires your school to document its training for all staff. Also, schools must use the DPI-provided [...]
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DPI Releases Report Cards
November 17, 2022
Report cards from the 2021-22 school year are now available from the DPI. Report cards are generated for school districts, public schools and private schools that participate in the Choice programs. Find them here. Only public schools and private schools in the Choice programs are required to administer state testing at their school. Additionally, Choice students [...]
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Principal Question: Title IX and Choice
August 25, 2022
Question: Do I have to train my staff on Title IX since my school participates in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP)? Answer: No. Only schools that receive Federal Financial Assistance (FFA) must comply with Title IX regulations. However, religious schools are exempt from Title IX and its training requirements if there is a conflict between Title [...]
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SNSP Training
May 19, 2022
The Department of Public Instruction will be holding virtual trainings for the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP) for the 2022-23 school year. Student Eligibility & Program Overview Training Date: Wednesday, June 22, 2022 Time: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. SNSP Payment Process, Financial & Enrollment Audits Training Date: Wednesday, July 13, 2022 Time: 12 p.m. [...]
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