The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says the state’s education department must provide more oversight of disabled students at private voucher schools.
The letter to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) from the DOJ was obtained by Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and says that the state must ensure that voucher schools comply with the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act.
Lisa Pugh is public policy coordinator with DRW.
Stay connected to Wisconsin news — your way
Get trustworthy reporting and unique local stories from WPR delivered directly to your inbox.
“This letter confirms what we’ve been saying for years that there’s rampant discrimination against students with disabilities in the state’s choice program. Finally we have the attention of the U.S. Justice Department saying that there needs to be some correction of that.”
The letter is a response to a complaint filed in 2011 against the Milwaukee voucher program by the ACLU, DRW, and several parents. The DPI says it is reviewing the letter.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2025, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
