Key Senate Republicans say changes needed for Scott Walker's Wisconsin voucher-expansion plans to pass

Erin Richards:

When Miriam Oakleaf was 10 months old, her parents noticed something was wrong.

By 2 1/2 she had been formally diagnosed with autism, epilepsy and a rare skin and central nervous system condition called linear nevus sebaceous syndrome.

Now 8 and in second grade at Crestwood Elementary School in Madison, Miriam's schooling requires extensive support and planning from a variety of education professionals - administrators, therapists, teachers and aides - in addition to her parents.

The story of Miriam and children like her is at the heart of a $21 million proposal in Gov. Scott Walker's state budget that would allow 5% of kids with disabilities in Wisconsin to attend private or public schools outside their home districts on a taxpayer-funded voucher.

The proposal has driven a wedge through the state's network of special-needs parents. Some believe it would open up more schooling options for their children while others contend it will drain more resources from their local public schools.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at March 9, 2013 2:31 AM
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