Read the full press release as an accessible PDF here.
Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) appreciates the education funding proposals announced yesterday by Governor Evers in advance of tonight’s state budget address. The prospect of providing 60% funding for disability-related education needs in both years of the biennium would brighten the futures of students both with and without disabilities.
“Wisconsin’s public schools statewide have had a funding gap of over a billion dollars per year when it comes to disability-related educational needs,” stated Lea Kitz, DRW’s Executive Director. “This budget proposal would take a bold step towards funding our schools’ needs at a level that will ensure that all our students receive the education that they deserve, students with disabilities in particular.”
Wisconsin has a long history of failing to provide adequate state funding for special education in our public schools, while private schools that accept “Special Needs Scholarships” are state-funded to 90%. Disability Rights Wisconsin looks forward to continuing to speak out for equity and for robust educational funding for our students with disabilities.