Wisconsin Schools Remain Resilient Print
Education - Articles for Education
Written by State Senate Democrats   
Thursday, 17 September 2015 14:52

tony_eversHistoric K-12 cuts and massive voucher expansion can’t stop local schools.


MADISON, WI – State Superintendent Tony Evers delivered a powerful State of Education Address to a packed capitol rotunda audience today. In his speech, Supt. Evers highlighted the resiliency of Wisconsin’s public schools and their success in the face of political adversity.

jenshilling“Like Superintendent Evers, I appreciate the amazing efforts being made by local schools, teachers and parents to provide students with a quality education despite the obstacles being created in Madison,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “In the face of deep budget cuts, teacher shortages and political attacks, our public schools have risen to the challenge and continue to deliver a top notch education. Even in tough times, Wisconsin families know that a quality education and investments in local public schools are key to expanding economic opportunities and raising wages in our state.”

While Supt. Evers highlighted many of the accomplishments of Wisconsin’s public schools and the increasingly active role of parent-led advocacy organizations, he acknowledged that additional state support and stability is needed. To improve education opportunities and strengthen local schools, Sen. Shilling and other Democrats have proposed restoring the historic budget cuts enacted by Gov. Walker and legislative Republicans, strengthening local control and increasing voucher school accountability to reduce fraud.

“Just this month, we’ve learned that Gov. Walker’s private school subsidy program will cost taxpayers over $1.1 billion in state funding,” added Shilling. “Rather than continuing to subsidize Gov. Walker’s underperforming voucher program that has been plagued by waste, fraud and abuse, we need to increase voucher accountability and restore our investments in local public schools.”

chris_larsonState Senator Chris Larson of Milwaukee said on the State of Education address by Superintendent Tony Evers:

“One of our cornerstone American principles is that access to quality education is a freedom and right that every child deserves. As we heard today from Superintendent Evers, Wisconsin can no longer honestly say every child has equal access to the kind of education to put them on the path to live the American Dream. It’s long past time we end the political rhetoric and reinvest in our traditional Wisconsin values to ensure every single child, regardless of economic background, obtains the knowledge and skills to put them on a path to success.

“Despite the recent historic cuts made to our traditional neighborhood schools, Governor Walker and Legislative Republicans continue to throw money at unaccountable, for-profit voucher schools.

“It is morally, ethically, and fiscally unacceptable that 57 taxpayer-subsidized voucher schools have been shut down since 2003, yet nothing has been done to ensure taxpayers or our children are protected. The most-recent voucher school to close its doors did so just nine days into the school year, leaving students and parents scrambling for a new school before open enrollment ends. How many more kids are they willing to let down before we put an end to this abuse of power?

“The facts show voucher schools are failing our children. That’s why I introduced Senate Bill 3, which would protect our children and families with basic safety and educational standards that every school should practice. Wisconsin must put an end to the blatant waste, fraud, and abuse that has run rampant in the voucher system for the past 25 years. It’s time to do what we know works and invest in all our kids’ future.”

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Legislative Staffer Tony Palese contributed to this article.

Last Updated on Thursday, 17 September 2015 15:14