Walker presses case for expanding school choice

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker says he wants parents to have the broadest possible spectrum of choices when it comes to educating their children.

The Republican governor spoke Wednesday at a school-choice event in Milwaukee. He said his goal is to improve public schools, but when there’s not enough improvement families should have other options.

School choice includes voucher programs, in which the government helps pay for tuition at private schools, including religious schools.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democrat, also attended the event. He says his main concern is that school choice not siphon funds away from public schools.

Walker says he wants to reward high-achieving and improving schools. Without elaborating, he told reporters it’s possible to expand choices without diverting resources from other schools.