Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB533

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/18/23
• Refer: 10/18/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Phasing out the Special Needs Scholarship Program and limiting enrollment in parental choice programs. (FE)

Impact

The implications of AB 533 on state education laws are significant, particularly affecting funding and access for children with disabilities. Supporters of the bill argue that capping enrollment serves to stabilize state funding and prevent overextending resources in parental choice programs. However, critics contend that the phasing out of the SNSP will limit educational opportunities for children requiring specialized assistance, as they may no longer have access to affiliated private school programs. This bill may also shift funding dynamics within public education and could lead to increased pressure on public schools to accommodate displaced students.

Summary

Assembly Bill 533 proposes the phasing out of the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP) beginning in the 2024-25 school year. Under the new regulation, children with disabilities who have been receiving scholarships to attend private institutions will no longer be eligible unless they were enrolled in a private school under the SNSP during the prior school year. This limitation is accompanied by a cap on the total number of pupils permitted to participate in parental choice programs, which include established programs like the Milwaukee and Racine Parental Choice Programs as well as the statewide parental choice program. The bill stipulates that the number of pupils allowed in these programs will be limited to those who attended private schools under the program in the 2023-24 academic year.

Contention

A critical point of contention surrounding AB 533 revolves around the potential impact on vulnerable student populations, particularly students with disabilities. Advocates for disability rights argue that the bill undermines educational equity by effectively restricting options for families who choose private schooling due to inadequate services in public schools. The debate is also intensified by concerns that the bill's implementation may not only affect current recipients of the SNSP, but could also set a precedent for future educational policies that favor limits on school choice at the expense of inclusivity for special needs students.