The city of Milwaukee was and still is identified by neighborhoods.  The neighborhoods, beginning with the rise of manufacturing, were established by like groups of immigrants.  These groups had the bond of language and religion.  As a result, there is a high concentration of small neighborhood parishes that also have schools.  However, with the rise in suburban living and the assimilation of the Caucasian immigrant groups, many of the church congregations began to shrink.  

 

Beginning in the 1980s, as manufacturing jobs left the city, neighborhoods began to distill into the segregated areas evident today.  The Latino South Side, had a job base in Foundry work, Tanning, and skilled manufacturing industry such as furniture making.  The African-American North Side had larger industrial manufacturing facilities such as car frames and heavy agriculture equipment.  When the respective industries folded, the city’s residents of color were locked into their last area of residence.  Then, following a predictable pattern of migration, one that seeks the like, Spanish-speakers moved to the Southside and African-Americans chose the North Side. 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

​

• Choice High School PPS = about $7,900 vs about $13,100 in a Milwaukee Public High School 

• Choice Middle School PPS = about $7,100 vs about $12,200 in a Milwaukee Public Middle School 

• Choice Elementary School PPS = about $6,400 vs about $11,400 in a Milwaukee Public Elementary School 

 

 

 

In what way(s) might giving families the choice to attend a private school empower them? How might that power impact family commitment to a school?  

 

In meeting with families, about 90% shared the belief that “Catholic Schools were better than public schools.” MPCP vouchers gave families access to schools that previous generations did not have access to.  In looking at the Census Map, what is the conflict between perception and reality?  

 

 

 

Approximately 90% of MPCP families are people of color.  In comparison, about 92% of the teaching staff at schools within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee are Caucasian.  Additionally, between 30-40% of teachers at schools within the diocese attended Catholic schools.  How might these data impact student, family and teacher relationships?  

​

It is the stated goal for diocesan schools to pay 80% of the salary of public school teachers. In what way(s) might this impact the quality of the instruction at a Choice School?  

Choice Schools do not have to offer Special Education Services to students.  In Wisconsin, at least 25% of African American boys are identified as “Special Needs.” How might this impact a Choice family and/or the teacher of a Choice student?  

 

 

 

Because of the breadth and depth of the Catholic churches and schools in Milwaukee, many of the Choice schools do not have to pay facilities cost.  How might this impact the parish and school relationship, in terms of generation of new income?  

 

Parental Choice and Vouchers laws have been expanded outside the city of Milwaukee. Now more (suburban) schools are eligible to participate.  At K4-8 Catholic schools that are at less than 50% capacity, the parish and schools are refusing to participate in the Voucher program.