Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty
In Episode 10 of the “If You Can Keep It” Podcast, we shift our focus to America’s classrooms to examine the current state of education in Wisconsin and beyond. We dive into why the traditional “assembly line” model of public schooling may be out of date, how the birth rate collapse is driving school consolidation, and the balance between public education and school choice.WILL President Rick Esenberg is joined by Dr. Will Flanders, the architect behind WILL’s most impactful reports and data-driven research on academic achievement. They look ahead at a new model for schools, exploring the technological impact of AI, and the “Southern Surge” in literacy to see what lessons Wisconsin can learn from unexpected success stories across the country.
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Early Literacy Screener Map.
3,887 Madison 4 year old to third grade students scored lower than 75% of the students in the national comparison group.
Madison taxpayers have long supported far above average k-12 tax & $pending. This despite our long term, disastrous reading results. May, 2026: 7,095 Staff for 25,003 students; $pending > $26k per student!
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”
A.B.T.: “Ain’t been taught.”
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?