Peer-Reviewed Study Confirms School Choice Works

WILL released groundbreaking new, peer-reviewed academic research analyzing more than 100,000 low and middle-income Wisconsin students between the 2018-19 and 2022-23 school years, finding that students who remain in Wisconsin’s private school choice programs for multiple years make significantly greater gains in reading than comparable public-school students.

Across Wisconsin’s three major private school choice programs (Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and Racine), students who remained enrolled longer consistently experienced stronger academic growth in reading than similar students who stayed in public schools.

Students enrolled for four years or more experienced reading growth equivalent to more than a full additional year of learning compared to comparable public school students.

The research also highlights that these academic gains are being achieved while school choice programs operate at far lower costs than traditional public schools. Average public school revenue exceeds voucher funding by more than $5,000 per K-8 student and more than $2,500 per high school student.

This new data confirms gains in academic outcomes can come at just a fraction of the cost to taxpayers when students are learning in a school choice environment.

WILL Challenges Gambling Monopolies

WILL, representing two taxpayer associations, filed a lawsuit challenging Wisconsin Act 247, the new law that legalizes statewide mobile sports betting through Wisconsin’s tribal gaming system.

This new sports gambling monopoly violates the Wisconsin Constitution, which voters amended in 1993 to prohibit the Wisconsin Legislature from “authoriz[ing] gambling in any form” beyond certain narrow exceptions. The lawsuit also challenges Governor Tony Evers’ plan to negotiate new tribal gaming agreements to implement the law, and argues that the law violates the Equal Protection Doctrine by granting a benefit based on race.

Teacher Shortage? Evers Administration is Making it Worse

WILL is demanding Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) immediately suspend Wisconsin’s Minority Teacher Loan (MTL) Program. The taxpayer-funded program gives loans to certain prospective teachers, but eligibility for the loans is limited based on race, ethnicity, and ancestry.

The program violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and closely mirrors a race-based state scholarship program unanimously struck down by the Wisconsin Supreme Court earlier this year.

WILL Deputy Counsel Rebecca Furdek stated, “Wisconsin cannot decide who receives taxpayer-funded educational opportunities based upon the color of their skin. The Wisconsin Supreme Court just unanimously struck down a nearly identical race-based program. Governor Evers and HEAB should follow the Constitution, end this discrimination, and ensure these opportunities are available to all Wisconsin students, regardless of race.”

Tax The Rich? WILL Talks to Tax Expert Grover Norquist in New Podcast

In Episode 12 of the "If You Can Keep It" Podcast, we ask can America tax its way to prosperity? This episode we examine the push for higher taxes, compare high-tax Europe with the United States, and look at what the economic divide between red states and blue states tells us about different approaches to growth and opportunity.

WILL President Rick Esenberg is joined by Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform. Together, they break down America's tax system, the consequences of higher taxes and government spending, and what it takes to keep America competitive and prosperous.

Celebrate America at WILL's Annual Event

The WINS we secured this week could not happen without your generous support.

Join us as we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday and our 15th year defending freedom, constitutional government, and the rule of law. This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Charles C.W. Cooke, Senior Editor of National Review.

Charles C. W. Cooke is a Senior Editor at National Review and the host of The Charles C. W. Cooke Podcast. He is graduate of the University of Oxford, at which he studied Modern History and Politics.

LAST CHANCE: Join Our "What America Means to Me Contest"

In celebration of the United States' 250th anniversary, WILL launched the “What America Means to Me” student contest, an initiative designed to encourage the next generation to engage and learn more about America’s founding principles.

Consistent with WILL’s mission to advance the public interest in the rule of law, individual liberty, constitutional government, and a robust civil society, this contest invites students in kindergarten through 12th grade to reflect on the meaning of freedom in their own lives. This contest is open to all public, charter, private, and homeschool students who are citizens of the United States and reside in Wisconsin.

All submissions are due by August 15, 2026. Cash prizes will be awarded!

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