Parents Under-Informed on True Cost of Education Spending, WILL Finds

WILL, in partnership with 50CAN, a national nonpartisan education reform nonprofit, has released a new survey of Wisconsin parents which revealed a gap in parental awareness of school spending, a gap in “workforce confidence,” and some improvement in knowledge of educational options.

We believe these findings can help shape the conversation around school funding and educational options, especially as voters grow increasingly concerned about the impacts of referenda and rising property taxes.

A few key findings our survey found:

• Parents Are Unaware of Current School Spending: 44% of parents surveyed say they are “not sure” how much is spent on each student. Another 43% provide estimates below actual spending figures. When informed of the actual amount, the majority say it is “just right” or “too much.” Only 27% say “too little.”
• Parents Broadly Support Education Choice Policies: Large majorities of parents support policies like open enrollment (80%), education savings accounts (77%), and school vouchers (64%).
• Private School Parents Report Higher Satisfaction: 55% of parents using choice options say they are very satisfied with their school choice, compared to just 43% of public-school parents.

WILL Research Director, Will Flanders, PhD, stated, “Parents are left in the dark about just how much money is spent on their children’s education and what little results are being achieved. Our survey indicates that with proper messaging and information, parents move away from blindly supporting more school funds toward demanding more accountability. Once again, there is a clear need for greater transparency in Wisconsin’s education system.”

Dr. Cade Brumley to Keynote 2026 School Board Summit

WILL is excited to announce Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana’s State Superintendent of Education, as the keynote speaker for our 2026 School Board Summit on Friday, April 24th at the Renaissance Milwaukee West Hotel.

Dr. Brumley will share insights on "Transforming Education" based on his successful reform efforts in Louisiana and offer a roadmap to help school leaders achieve better student outcomes.

Summit registration is now open to school board members, district administrators, and key faculty and staff for a day of professional development to enhance the educational experience of Wisconsin’s students.

OP-ED: Ditch Identity Politics to Fix Student Achievement

In a recent op-ed in the Wisconsin State Journal, WILL Fellow Shannon Whitworth takes on Wisconsin's nation-leading racial achievement gap in schools. He argues that the state's gap is caused by a focus on identity politics and "the soft bigotry of low expectations" rather than skin color.

He highlights how race-based disciplinary policies in public schools often undermine classroom safety and accountability, whereas private choice schools succeed by prioritizing strict standards and parental engagement.

The op-ed also explains that when schools replace race-centered policies with equal expectations and a positive culture, such as in Milwaukee Lutheran High School, black students can perform at the same level as their white counterparts.

Available Now: Unpacking Teachers Union Lawsuit Threatening School Choice

Now available online, WILL’s latest webinar breaks down the teachers union-led lawsuit aiming to undermine Wisconsin's school funding and parental choice systems.

The webinar was led by WILL Research Director Will Flanders who provides a fact-driven analysis of the reality of Wisconsin's education funding, and WILL Deputy Counsel Lucas Vebber who breaks down the legal merits of the case.

Watch the webinar below to see how this lawsuit puts the future of choice schools at risk and creates significant uncertainty for local taxpayers and budgets.

Donate to WILL Today!

Together, we will make sure that our freedoms are protected for our children and grandchildren. Help us continue to be a beacon of hope and liberty for all!

Your friendly donation helps fuel our mission and keep the ideals of America's founding fathers alive.

Read more at www.will-law.org.

Check out our various social media platforms!