Wisconsin Parents Association
Post Office Box 2502
Madison, WI 53701-2502
Voice Mail 608-283-3131

Milestones in WPA History

1983

Homeschoolers meet in response to legislative proposals.

1984

WPA organized January 6.
Over 2,500 people (the vast majority opposed to unreasonable homeschooling legislation) attend January 24 legislative hearing.
WPA coordinates campaign that results in reasonable homeschooling law.
WPA arranges meeting with legislators and the DPI to protest first version of form PI-1206 which was not consistent with new law. DPI revises.

1985

First edition of WPA handbook.

1986

WASB resolution to give the DPI authority over homeschools tabled after WPA gives more accurate information to WASB delegates.

1987

WPA defuses and discredits a misleading DPI-sponsored "research" report by UW's Lufler.
WPA's "Perspectives" takes strong stand against state-mandated standardized testing.

1988

WPA resolutions support parents' rights in education, oppose change in Wisconsin's homeschooling law, oppose state-mandated standardized testing, and state that the DPI has no authority in private education (including homeschooling).

1989

WPA alerts homeschoolers about an ad hoc legislative committee considering homeschooling legislation. Hundreds call committee members. Committee drops proposal.
WPA resolutions oppose state review or certification of homeschools.

1990

WPA resolutions oppose discriminatory policies concerning entry/re-entry and shared services and support unity among homeschoolers.
WPA publishes enlarged edition of handbook.
WPA opposes unnecessary Legislative Council study of homeschooling, refuses to serve on committee but provides accurate information.

1991

Legislative Council study committee decides not to recommend increased regulation of homeschooling.
Over 2.000 homeschoolers and supporters attend WPA Day at the Capitol (Feb. 6) to affirm and celebrate Legislative Council committee's decision.
WPA resolutions affirm key role of parents in education and oppose state control of education and the family.
WPA informs members and coordinates testimony at Nov. 4 hearing on new "education reform legislation" that would increase regulation of homeschooling, establish portfolios on 3 year olds, etc. About 300 homeschoolers attend. Legislators agree to delete all homeschooling proposals.

Nov. - Mar. 1992

WPA informs homeschoolers and other concerned parents about problems with reform legislation. Over 1,000 attend hearings in nine cities, the vast majority opposed to the legislation. WPA is influential in having some of the worst provisions removed although legislation eventually passes.

1992

WPA resolutions oppose state goals in education, America 2000, Wisconsin 2000, and education vouchers that would require the surrender of educational freedom.
WPA publishes booklet, "For All Our Children: Parents' Rights and Responsibilities in Education" to inform homeschoolers and others of problems with current developments in education and suggest ways they can counter them.
In July, the DPI publishes misleading and inaccurate "Questions and Responses" about homeschooling. WPA responds with accurate information, including letter in Dec. to school officials clarifying information about entry/re-entry and shared services.

1993

WPA continues to track and analyze proposals for "education reform legislation" and informs members and others of problems with the DPI's plans for collaboration.
WPA celebrates and renews commitment at tenth annual home education conference attended by over 1,000 people.
WPA works to gain exemption of public school students from state-mandated testing.

1994

WPA publishes Perspectives on the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child showing the problems raised by the Convention.
PRAIRIE, a national version of the WPA newsletter, is published by WPA in response to requests from other states for information WPA has developed.
Exemption of public school students from state-mandated testing becomes law.

1995

WPA shows how state legislation on juvenile justice and Children in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) will negatively affect all families.
400 people attend WPA's Families First day at the capitol to protest juvenile justice and CHIPS legislation.
WPA passes resolutions on the independence of the homeschooling movement, the importance of putting families first, and why homeschoolers do not want to give up freedom in exchange for government money.

1996

Library outreach program launched by WPA.
Homeschooling in Wisconsin, fourth edition of WPA handbook, is published.
WPA counters negative actions by local school districts.

1997

WPA works successfully to deny DPI's budget proposal that would have created a homeschool consultant within DPI paid for by homeschoolers' filing fees.
WPA strongly opposes SB106 which would have set the precident of the state determining who is eligible to homeschool. About 400 homeschoolers attend the first hearing on this bill. The bill is likely to die in committee.
WPA passes resolutions opposing the state determining who is eligiible to homeschool and the school-to-work program.

1998

Homeschoolers working through WPA help defeat a parental rights amendment to the WI Constitution that would cost us our freedoms.
WPA helps to amend truancy bill so it is less damaging.
WPA opposes curfews and ID cards for homeschoolers.
WPA successfully opposes tax credits for homeschoolers.

1999

WPA opposes Walworth County committee's attempts to increasestate regulation of homeschooling.
WPA opposes AB129 which undermines homeschooling freedoms; bill dies.
WPA supports increased funding for public libraries.
WPA opposes public school graduation test.
Wisconsin State Historical Society purchases all WPA newsletters.

2000

WPA counters changes in military pilot program.
WPA opposes AB 712.
WPA corrects Legislative Reference Bureau Brief.

2001

Fifth edition of handbook published.
WPA clarifies statute on "more than one family unit."
WPA works to increase funding for library systems.
WPA presents testimony against state funding for full-day four-year-old kindergartens.
WPA alerts members to problems with charter schools.

2002

WPA informs homeschoolers and others of the problems with statewide public e-schools.
WPA works to ensure funding for public libraries.
WPA passes resolutions on public e-schools and government-imposed immunizations.

2003

WPA opposes federal homeschooling legislation that would lead to federal regulation of homeschooling.
WPA works to maintain the distinction between homeschools and public e-schools.
WPA helps homeschool support groups form policies on public e-schoolers.
WPA passes resolution opposing tax dollars for homeschoolers that would lead to increased regulation of homeschooling.
WPA corrects DPI's claim that local school distrcts should be involved in determining grade placement in homeschools.

2004

WPA alerts homeschoolers and others to problems with public school student identification system and how to insure homeschoolers are not included in it.
WPA introduces "Did You Know?" feature to its newsletter.
WPA passes resolutions dealing with the media and student ID numbers.
WPA researches and alerts members to risks of increased mental health screening.

2005

WPA introduces CONNECTIONS to its newsletter and conference.
WPA provides a sample letter to school district administrators on homeschoolers' privacy.
WPA corrects Wiscsonin League of Women Voters' information on the homeschooling law and explains why it should not be changed.
WPA opposes federal legislation that would undermine homeschooling freedoms.
WPA successfully opposes an amendment to the state budget bill that would have increased the risk of greater state regulation of homeschooling by providing tax credits for homeschoolers.
WPA passes resolutions dealing with the federal No Child Left Behind law and mental health screening.

2006

WPA publishes sixth ediition of Homeschooling In Wisconsin.
WPA passes resolution dealing with the history of homeschooling in Wisconsin.
WPA publishes Kitchen Tables and Marble Halls: WPA and Homeschooling in Wisconsin.

2007

WPA passes resolution dealing with institutionalizing young children.