The price of parallel systems: How Wisconsin state policy shapes public resources for three systems of K-12 education

Presentation by Anne Chapman, WASBO Research Director, on January 21, 2026, at the 2026 State Education Convention

Description: This presentation explores several key questions surrounding state support for school choice in Wisconsin. How does Wisconsin school finance policy treat voucher and independent charter schools? How does that relate to and affect resources for public schools? How does public support for three K-12 education systems affect Wisconsin’s overall budget and fiscal outlook? How have these systems changed over time, and how might they change in the future? And what can Wisconsin learn from the growth of publicly funded private school options in other states?