As with most civic issues today, politics have befouled this one as well. The right side of the aisle has sought political gain by doing everything it can to turn the public away from supporting public schools, demonizing teachers and reducing their political clout, supporting private and charter schools and cutting funding for public schools. The left has stubbornly insisted on a wide array of often-costly social programs that are troubling to many within schools. They’re also resistant to change and blindly support teachers’ unions, the school board candidates they endorse and the seemingly never-ending referenda raising property taxes to offset the aforementioned reduction in state support and lack of budget discipline.
Teachers themselves are stuck in the middle, doing their damnedest to educate our kids. And the public is more confused than ever. So what to make of the gala fundraising bash this month celebrating the 10th anniversary of One City Schools?
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Notes and links on Neil Heinen.
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Madison taxpayers have long supported far above average (now > $25,000 per student) K-12 tax & spending practices. This, despite long term, disastrous reading results.
Madison Schools: More $, No Accountability
The taxpayer funded Madison School District long used Reading Recovery…
The data clearly indicate that being able to read is not a requirement for graduation at (Madison) East, especially if you are black or Hispanic”
My Question to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Teacher Mulligans and our Disastrous Reading Results
2017: West High Reading Interventionist Teacher’s Remarks to the School Board on Madison’s Disastrous Reading Results
Madison’s taxpayer supported K-12 school district, despite spending far more than most, has long tolerated disastrous reading results.
“An emphasis on adult employment”
Wisconsin Public Policy Forum Madison School District Report[PDF]
WEAC: $1.57 million for Four Wisconsin Senators
Friday Afternoon Veto: Governor Evers Rejects AB446/SB454; an effort to address our long term, disastrous reading results
Booked, but can’t read (Madison): functional literacy, National citizenship and the new face of Dred Scott in the age of mass incarceration.
When A Stands for Average: Students at the UW-Madison School of Education Receive Sky-High Grades. How Smart is That?