Schools across Wisconsin could have access to $100 million in grants to improve school doors, locks, alarms systems, intercoms and other items under a package of school security bills under review in the legislature. WCRIS Executive Director Sharon Schmeling testified in support of the measure today before the Assembly Committee on Education. “We can fan [...]
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Current Events
A library of WCRIS weekly E-letters that keeps you updated on issues of concern to private schools
Special Session Called: Governor Walker Takes Action on School Safety
March 15, 2018
With the input from school leaders across the state, including WCRIS, Governor Scott Walker today called for a special legislative session to address the issue of school safety. Gov. Walker’s School Safety Plan will include $100 million in funding. The School Safety Plan includes the creation of the Office of School Safety. The new office [...]
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Your Voice Needed: Speak out for Equitable Private School Student Busing, School Security Grants, and Parental Choice Programs
March 14, 2018
The Legislature has assembled a Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding to help address school finance in the future. The Commission’s recommendations would most likely be provided in time to shape the state’s 2019-2021 budget, which will be introduced next February. School transportation funding and parental choice are two hot topics, among many other components of state [...]
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At the Intersection
March 09, 2018
The question surfaced at this year’s WCRIS Leadership Conference: What can private schools do to better support students with mental health needs and those who have undergone childhood trauma? Momentum has been building in the state to strengthen the knowledge and resources within schools to better care for students who face these challenges, and it [...]
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Forward Exam for Non-Choice Students is Now Cheaper
March 01, 2018
Thanks to advocacy by WCRIS, private schools can now purchase the state Forward Exam at a reduced rate of $35 for their non-choice students. Previously, private schools paid $50 per non-choice student for the Forward exam, while public school and choice students cost only $25. With support of the DPI and help from CESA 6, [...]
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Governor to Review Fix to Teacher License Glitch
March 01, 2018
Last week, WCRIS educators flooded the Capitol with 980 e-mails urging lawmakers to pass SB 711, which was amended to count private school teachers experience in the new teacher life license process. The bill is now before the Governor for review. Under current law, the DPI can not issue a life license to a provisional [...]
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President’s Education Awards
February 28, 2018
The President’s Education Awards Program (PEAP) honors graduating elementary, middle and high school students for their achievement and hard work. The program provides individual recognition from the President and the U.S. Secretary of Education to those students whose outstanding efforts have enabled them to meet challenging standards of excellence. Each year, thousands of elementary, middle, and high [...]
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WCRIS Floods Capitol with E-mails
February 22, 2018
Thanks to dozens of e-mails from Wisconsin private school educators, the Senate and Assembly passed a bill that will recognize private school teaching experience in qualifications necessary to get a life license under the state’s teacher license system. It now awaits the Governor’s approval. More than 900 e-mails have been sent to legislators from private [...]
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Proposal to Allow Guns in Private Schools Gets Media Attention, but Has No Chance of Passage
February 22, 2018
You may have read or heard news stories about a bill introduced this week to amend the state’s concealed carry law to allow guns in Wisconsin’s private schools as a pilot project to improve school safety. The bill was never under serious consideration, says WCRIS Executive Director Sharon Schmeling. “It was introduced in the Assembly [...]
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WCRIS Helps Defeat WIAA Proposal Targeting Private Schools
February 01, 2018
Thanks to WCRIS advocacy, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Board of Control voted in opposition of the most recent plan to address competitive equity at its January meeting Wednesday. The Board voted 6-5 against a basketball “Rural/Urban” competitive equity plan initiated by the Board. The proposal sought to place schools in Divisions 3, 4 and 5 by [...]
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