Beginning in 1990, the MPCP was created to provide educational freedom and choice to low and middle income parents in Milwaukee that did not otherwise have the financial means to send their children to private schools. The program began with seven non-sectarian schools and just over 300 students. In 1995 lawmakers passed legislation that increased the enrollment cap from 1500 students to 15% of th
e Milwaukee Public Schools enrollment. The legislation also allowed religious schools to participate. However, shortly thereafter a court case ensued. Religious schools were prevented from participating in the program until 1998 when the Wisconsin Supreme Court determined that religious schools could participate in the program with the understanding that parents could choose to have their children opt out of religious activities. The program continued to grow until 2005 when it reached its 15,000 student enrollment cap. A grassroots effort led to bipartisan legislation that increased the enrollment cap to 22,500 and introduced standardized testing and accreditation requirements for schools. It also authorized the School Choice Demonstration Project at the University of Arkansas to conduct a 5 year longitudinal study. Currently 102 schools enroll 20,996 students in the MPCP with a per-pupil payment of $6,442.
