WCRIS testified to the Assembly Education Committee last week, ensuring that private schools were represented in conversations about proposed Assembly Bill 53. The bill would require public high schools and high schools in the Parental Choice Programs to report any criminal activity that occurs on its grounds on weekdays from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. [...]
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Current Events
A library of WCRIS weekly E-letters that keeps you updated on issues of concern to private schools
March 29: Explaining the ESSA
March 09, 2023
Services from the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) are available to private school students, but taking advantage of the funds can sometimes be challenging. Join Abigail Pavela, Wisconsin’s ESSA Ombudsman and WCRIS Project Manager, to learn about private school roles and public school district responsibilities in the ESSA. At the 1:30 p.m. webinar, you’ll learn what [...]
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State Budget: Your Voice Needed
March 09, 2023
The state’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) will hold four public hearings, in Waukesha, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Dells and Minocqua, about the 2023-25 state budget in April. Plan now to attend or comment online. Either is great. The Republican-controlled committee is the most powerful in the country. Its 16 members will send a budget to the [...]
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Reimbursement for Dual Enrollment Tuition
March 09, 2023
Schools can recoup costs for their teachers to become credentialed to teach dual enrollment courses (high school and college credit), according to the State of Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board (WHEAB). Teachers cannot apply directly for the grant. The application must come from the private school. The funds come from 2017 Wisconsin Act 206. Teacher coursework taken [...]
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Clarification for DPI-Required Trainings
March 02, 2023
Some of our member schools have been questioning what trainings, located on the DPI’s website, are required for staff at all private schools versus just for staff at choice or Special Needs Scholarship schools. During a meeting today with the DPI, the department said it plans to update its website and may issue more information [...]
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Reading Success at Messmer Catholic Schools
March 02, 2023
Conversations on literacy instruction and policy are heating up in Wisconsin. Just today, WCRIS monitored a joint Assembly and Senate Education committee meeting at the state Capitol about potential strategies to improve literacy in Wisconsin. A body of research called the “Science of Reading” – which emphasizes phonics instruction – was the centerpiece of the conversations [...]
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Getting the State Tuition Tax Deduction
March 02, 2023
People shouldn’t have to hire an accountant to file their annual taxes, but taxes are more complicated every year, and families who use online services or software to help them may not be getting what they need to collect the Wisconsin K-12 private school tuition tax deduction, WCRIS has learned. It appears from WCRIS research [...]
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First Busing Deadline Looming
March 02, 2023
The first issue WCRIS ever tackled, back in the 1960s, was private school students’ right to transportation. Much has changed since then, but one thing hasn’t: WCRIS is still the expert on busing. To make sure your students have their rightful access to transportation to and from school, you must submit your proposed attendance areas to [...]
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Stronger Connections Grant Program
March 02, 2023
WCRIS was also asked by the DPI today to share an opportunity for schools to provide their input on the Stronger Connections Grant Program. Wisconsin has been awarded $12.5 million for the ESSA program. It’s housed under Title IV and seeks to support healthy and safe students. This is not a pandemic grant program. The DPI [...]
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Principal Question: Busing and Snow Days?
February 23, 2023
Question: Over the last month, it seems more common for school districts to quickly call for snow days that are actually online learning days, while private schools continue to have in-person classes. Who is responsible for the payment of the bus run for a “snow day”? Could you share with me what we are responsible [...]
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