The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is now seeking public comment on draft administrative rules that have to be written since the legislature made changes to the Choice program in its 2017-19 session. The draft rules have already been reviewed by WCRIS and other education reform stakeholders who gave their input to the DPI which [...]
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Current Events
A library of WCRIS weekly E-letters that keeps you updated on issues of concern to private schools
Secretary of Education Visits WCRIS School; WCRIS Staff meets Secretary in D.C.
September 26, 2019
There are still too many [students] who don’t know how to read. There are still too many who don’t know how to add, subtract, divide, or multiply. And too many have no power to do anything about it. That’s because the education cabal puts other issues above what’s right for students. Mixed-up priorities are borne [...]
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Help Private Schools Sweep the 2020 Wisconsin Civics Game Competition
September 26, 2019
A state civics competition is being held to foster citizenship education among young people. Winners of the games each receive a $2,000 scholarship to the Wisconsin college or university of his/her choice. So far, participation by private schools has been minimal. But entry is easy and preparation is facilitated by a study guide provided by [...]
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Superintendent Hears WCRIS Concerns
September 19, 2019
WCRIS Board of Directors meets with Superintendent Stanford Taylor The WCRIS Board of Directors met with the Department of Public Instruction Superintendent (DPI) Carolyn Stanford Taylor on Sept 13 to hear issues of concern from the state’s private K-12 schools and identify areas of common ground to improve education for all of the state’s students. Superintendent [...]
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Presidential Scholars Program
September 19, 2019
High school principals should have received information about student nominations for the Presidential Scholar Program provided by the US Department of Education. If you have not received any information or if you have questions about the program, please email Chris Tiedje at the DPI.
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Test Your School For Radon
September 19, 2019
Radon, a gas formed from the decaying of uranium and radium found in rocks, is the second-largest cause of lung cancer. Radon exposure is often thought of as a homeowner’s problem, but schools are not immune to radon and outside of homes, schools are the second largest contributor to radon exposure. New and old school [...]
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Principal Question: Is the pupil seclusion and restraint law binding on private schools?
September 12, 2019
Answer: The seclusion and physical restraint law (Wisconsin Statute 118.305) applies only to public schools, charter schools and schools in the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP). For more information about the seclusion & restraint law and how it functions in practice, what is defined as seclusion and restraint, etc., see the Department of Public Instruction’s [...]
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2019 WCRIS Annual Report
September 12, 2019
Curious about what WCRIS has done for your school over the last year? Check out our 2019 WCRIS Annual Update to learn more. Note: Schools should have received a copy of the Annual Update by US mail over the last week.
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2020 Kohl Awards Open
September 05, 2019
The application period for the 2020 Herb Kohl Educational Awards for students, teachers and principals is now open. Current private high school seniors, who are Wisconsin residents, are eligible to apply for a $10,000 Student Excellence scholarship to the college of their choice. This is a highly competitive scholarship with only 14 private school students [...]
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SNSP Program Compliance: Tools You Need
September 05, 2019
Under the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP), private schools are required to develop with a student’s parent an agreement of services that will be provided by the school. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has developed a services agreement form that it uses as an example during SNSP training. Schools are not required to use [...]
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