Parochial Schools in Milwaukee Thrive Because of Vouchers

Yesterday I posted a story about the importance of voucher money to Catholic parochial schools in Washington, DC. A similar story can be told about Catholic and Lutheran schools in Milwaukee, according to yesterday's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 60% of students in grades 1-8 in Catholic schools, and 66% in Lutheran schools, in Milwaukee are on vouchers. Voucher payments now total $60 million per year. In addition to keeping Catholic and Lutheran schools afloat, the program has encouraged the creation of at least 20 new schools connected to African-American churches. Three Muslim and one Jewish school are also part of the voucher program. Despite this, the overall number of students in private schools in Milwaukee continues to drop.