Democrats’ Rebuttal Takes Swipe at Parental Choice Schools Religious and independent K-12 schools were largely off the radar during the State of the State address this week, as Gov. Walker focused on higher education and college affordability. But WCRIS schools did receive a swipe during the official Democratic response to Walker’s speech just moments after [...]
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Current Events
A library of WCRIS weekly E-letters that keeps you updated on issues of concern to private schools
Congressman Ryan, Newly Elected House Speaker is Long-Time Private Ed Supporter
October 29, 2015
What You Should Know About the New House Speaker U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) was elected the Speaker of the House of Representatives today, a great honor for the State of Wisconsin. In addition to being third in line to the Presidency, Ryan’s leadership will also be decisive for federal policies that impact private K-12 [...]
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Elks Club Foundation: Scholarship Opportunities
October 28, 2015
Each year the Elks Club gives away $3.74 million in college scholarships. In the 2016 competition the National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants. Any high school senior who is a citizen of the United States is eligible to apply. Applicants need not be related to a member of the Elks. College [...]
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Policies Address Transgender Issues in Wisconsin Schools
October 22, 2015
The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association (WIAA) has developed a policy for accommodating transgendered students in athletic activities (pdf of the policy is available here: WIAA Transgender Participation Policy). Private schools participating in WIAA sports are covered by the policy. Additionally, the Wisconsin Legislature is reviewing a proposed bill that would provide a statewide policy for gender [...]
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Get a Free Wisconsin Blue Book for Your School
October 21, 2015
The 2015-16 Wisconsin Blue Book, the definitive Wisconsin Almanac, has just been released. This compendium of all-things Wisconsin is updated every two years by the Legislative Reference Bureau. This year’s edition features a special section on Wisconsin in the Civil War, which fourth grade teachers may find especially useful as they develop their classroom content [...]
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WCRIS Schools Enroll 71 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
September 15, 2015
Congratulations to our WCRIS member schools who have student Semifinalists for the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program! On September 9, 2015 approximately 16,000 Semifinalists were named in the 61st annual competition. About 1.5 million high school juniors in over 22,000 high schools across the country entered the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2014 [...]
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Fast Facts: The eRate Modernization Order
August 03, 2015
Congress recently updated funding and regulations for the E-rate, which reimburses schools for communications technology. The Second E-rate Modernization Order aims to addresses the connectivity gap facing many schools and libraries, particularly in rural areas. The new e-rate will maximize options available for purchasing affordable high-speed connections. Congress increased funding to $3.9 billion, indexed it to inflation, [...]
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The What’s Up from the 2015-17 State Budget
July 31, 2015
Overview The Legislature’s flurry of activity beginning in January and culminating in the state budget (Act 55) that was signed into law July 13, also included several other stand-alone bills impacting private schools. All along the way, the Wisconsin Council of Religious & Independent Schools (WCRIS) staff was there to advocate for our principals, teachers, [...]
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