Put authority back in parents’ hands Report: Off Track: An Assessment of Wisconsin’s Early Care and Learning System for Young Children September 21, 2022 By Angela Rachidi Raising children, as can be fully appreciated only after you’ve done it, takes place in real time. They eat, sleep and grow whether you’re ready or not. So as parents supply children with the most crucial material treasure they ever will receive — a stable, loving home — many rely on some outside help in caring for their children while earning a living. Wisconsin long ago decided to assist low-income parents in finding good help. How is the state doing at this? Not so well. Here, an eminent Wisconsin-based scholar and Badger Institute visiting fellow, Angela Rachidi, examines the current landscape, looking at how Wisconsin spends about $400 million a year in federal and state taxpayer money to subsidize childcare and early learning. Crucially, she looks at how the government’s efforts to improve the quality of childcare has increased costs, diminished parents’ options and resulted in fewer children accessing the help that taxpayers offer. Rachidi lays out steps that Wisconsin policymakers can take to fix things — specifically how they can reduce the deadening weight of the state’s hand and, instead, give more authority to parents and childcare providers. Her recommendations are urgent: Wisconsin’s future adults are growing and learning in real time, whether their parents — and the state’s assistance — are ready or not. Read the Full Report Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Invest in the Badger Institute For 35 years, the Badger Institute, formerly known as the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI), has been at the forefront of the fight for school choice, right to work, welfare reform, tax restructuring, limited government, civil society and so much more. If you appreciate the Institute’s legacy and want to support free markets, opportunity and prosperity, please consider donating $35, $350 or $3,500 today. Your support will help the Institute continue to advocate for conservative principles for the next 35 years – and beyond! The Institute never has, and never will, accept government funding. We gratefully welcome your online donation or email Angela Smith, Vice President of Development. The Badger Institute is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Support Freedom Let the experts at the Badger Institute bring a policy talk on topics such as student loan forgiveness, unemployment compensation, school choice and more to your local group or meeting. If you’re interested in a presentation or a speaker, contact Michael Jahr, Vice President of Communications, at [email protected]. Request a Speaker   Badger Institute | 700 W Virginia St, Suite 301, Milwaukee, WI 53204 www.badgerinstitute.org Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!