Education (School Choice)

failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 600: Relating to: participating in the federal tax credit program for contributions to scholarship granting organizations.

SB 600 would enable Wisconsin to participate in a federal tax credit program that allows individuals to deduct contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) from their state taxes. The bill requires the state education department to annually submit a list of qualifying SGOs meeting federal standards and certify Wisconsin's eligibility to the U.S. Treasury. It gives the governor until July 1, 2026, to decide whether to join the program, which would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. The bill does not create new tax benefits but establishes the state's administrative process to align with the federal program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables state tax deductions for SGO contributions, providing tax relief and aligning with federal tax credit program.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables tax credits for private school scholarships, expanding educational access through school choice programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 526: Relating to: allowing individuals who hold a substitute teaching permit to substitute teach at private schools participating in a parental choice program.

SB 526 allows substitute teachers with a department-issued permit (under Section 118.19(7m)) to teach at private schools participating in a parental choice program. It modifies existing requirements by adding new provisions (118.60(2)(a)6.e. and 119.23(2)(a)6.d.) that exempt these permit-holding substitutes from the standard rule requiring all private school teachers to have a teaching license or bachelor's degree or higher. The bill directly affects substitute teachers holding the specific permit and private schools enrolled in state parental choice programs. This change streamlines substitute staffing for participating schools without altering credential requirements for regular teachers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by removing credential barriers for substitutes in private schools participating in parental choice programs, enabling more consistent staffing in these schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Teachers

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 568: Relating to: payments for pupils who withdraw from a parental choice program, the Special Needs Scholarship Program, or an independent charter school. (FE)

SB 568 changes how leftover scholarship funds are handled when students leave private school choice programs or charter schools. If a student withdraws mid-year from a Parental Choice Program, Special Needs Scholarship Program, or independent charter school and enrolls in a public school district, the state must pay the remaining scholarship amount to that public district instead of the original private school or charter operator. This applies to all covered programs and ensures public school districts receive funds for students who switch during the school year. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects leftover scholarship funds to public school districts instead of private schools, ensuring continued public education funding without new taxes or spending cuts.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects leftover scholarship funds to public school districts when students transfer, increasing public school funding without reducing private choice program support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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failed · Wisconsin · Assembly Mar 23, 2026

AB 496: Relating to: verification of a pupil’s family income for participation in a parental choice program.

AB 496 changes income requirements for families using state-funded private school choice programs. It raises the income limit from 2.2 times the federal poverty level to 3.0 times for most districts (previously only 2.2x applied to some districts), while maintaining the lower 2.2x limit for specific school districts. The bill also simplifies income verification by removing outdated requirements for checking family income. This affects families applying for private school choice programs, with changes taking effect for the 2026-27 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRaises income limit for private school choice from 2.2x to 3.0x federal poverty level, expanding access to more families and simplifying verification for K-12 educational choice programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 569: Relating to: implementation of an individualized education program or services plan under the Special Needs Scholarship Program. (FE)

SB 569 requires private schools participating in the Special Needs Scholarship Program to implement each student's most recent individualized education program (IEP) or services plan, adjusted through agreement between the school and the student's parent. It also mandates that these schools share all IEP-related records with the student's public school district within 5 days of a formal request. The law directly affects private schools in the scholarship program, parents of students with disabilities, and public school districts seeking IEP documentation. These requirements will take effect for the 2026-27 school year. The bill focuses on ensuring consistent educational planning and record-sharing between private and public schools for scholarship program participants.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates IEP implementation and record sharing for special needs students in scholarship programs, ensuring continuity of educational support and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice Special Education

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vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 460: Relating to: pupil eligibility for parental choice programs based upon participation by a sibling or a dependent child of the pupil's parent or guardian. (FE)

AB 460 changes eligibility rules for parental choice education programs (like school vouchers or education savings accounts). It allows a student to qualify for such a program if a sibling or dependent child of their parent/guardian is already enrolled in the program. This directly affects families with multiple children, making it easier for additional children in the same household to access these programs once one child qualifies. The bill is currently under review by the Rules Committee after passing the Education Committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by allowing siblings to qualify for parental choice programs once one child is enrolled, directly increasing family participation in school choice options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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vetoed · Wisconsin · Assembly May 13, 2026

AB 602: Relating to: participating in the federal tax credit program for contributions to scholarship granting organizations.

AB 602 requires the state department to annually submit a list of qualifying scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) to the U.S. Treasury and certify the state's authority to participate in the federal tax credit program for donations to these organizations. It mandates that the governor must decide by July 1, 2026, whether to join this federal program, which would allow residents to claim tax credits for contributions to SGOs starting in 2027. The bill directly affects state administrative processes, scholarship organizations, and donors who may qualify for federal tax benefits. It does not create new tax credits but establishes the state's procedural framework for eligibility under existing federal law (26 USC 25F).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables tax credits for SGO donations, providing tax relief to residents by allowing federal tax credit claims for contributions.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations, expanding educational access through private scholarships. Directly relates to educational access under the topic definition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 604: Relating to: teacher and administrator licensure in parental choice programs and in the Special Needs Scholarship Program and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

SB 604 requires teachers and administrators in private schools participating in Wisconsin’s parental choice programs (like voucher programs) and the Special Needs Scholarship Program to hold state-issued teaching licenses starting July 1, 2027. It creates a 5-year temporary waiver for current staff with at least five years of experience who don’t yet meet licensing requirements, valid until July 1, 2032. The bill exempts teachers of rabbinical studies from the license requirement. It amends existing laws to enforce these standards while granting the state education department rule-making authority to implement the changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires state licenses for teachers in voucher/private schools, strengthening educator qualifications and standards in choice programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid Teachers

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 314: Relating to: the pupil participation limit in the state parental choice program.

SB 314 modifies the enrollment cap for Wisconsin's state-funded private school choice program. It replaces the previous calculation method with a new rule setting the pupil participation limit at 10% of a school district's enrollment from the prior school year. This change directly affects all public school districts participating in the program, limiting the number of students they can send to private schools under the state's choice initiative. The bill updates the statute to apply this 10% cap through the 2025-26 school year, as specified in the amended sections.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill limits private school choice program enrollment to 10% of district enrollment, preventing public school funding loss and protecting public education resources.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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failed · Wisconsin · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 496: Relating to: verification of a pupil’s family income for participation in a parental choice program.

SB 496 amends income eligibility rules for families using parental choice programs (school vouchers) to attend private schools. It raises the income threshold from 2.2 times the federal poverty level to 3.0 times for most students, replacing previous lower limits for certain districts. The bill repeals outdated provisions requiring verification of income increases and updates how family income is calculated for program eligibility. These changes apply starting in the 2026-27 school year, directly affecting low-income families seeking private school options under existing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRaises income threshold for state-funded voucher program, expanding eligibility and increasing potential state expenditure on education subsidies.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRaises income threshold for voucher eligibility, expanding access to private school choice programs for more families within parental choice programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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