Wisconsin budget panel approves K-12 education package

Wisconsin Radio Network ^ | May 20, 2015 | Andrew Beckett

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Wisconsin’s K-12 public schools would see about $200 million more in state funding and the private school voucher program would be broadly expanded, under a sweeping package of changes approved by the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee.

The 29-page proposal, released just hours before the committee voted on the changes late Tuesday night, would increase funding for public schools by about $70 million in the 2016-17 school year, while keeping about $127 million in funding for schools in place that Governor Scott Walker had proposed cutting. It would amount to a $250 per pupil funding increase over the course of the biennium.

The measure would also lift the statewide enrollment cap on the private school voucher program, currently set at 1,000 students, while also creating a voucher program for special needs students. It sets up a funding system for vouchers similar to what’s used for the open enrollment program, where taxpayer funding would follow students. A Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo released last week found the change would cost public school districts about $48 million during the next biennium.

Democrats on the budget panel heaped criticism on the package. State Representative Chris Taylor (D-Madison) said it give crumbs to public schools, while making it like “Christmas morning” for private schools.

State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) said the plan would not amount to “Armageddon” for public schools, but “we’re on that road.”

Republicans defended their package. JFC co-chair John Nygren (R-Marinette) said the GOP is focused on making reforms, and noted that Republicans have worked to put a half billion dollars back in to public education over the past four years.

Other highlights of the plan:

Allows the Milwaukee county executive to takeover up to five failing public schools over the next two years, converting them to independent charter or voucher schools.

Requires high school students to pass an exam similar to the civics portion of the U.S. Citizenship test to graduate, by getting at least 60 out of 100 questions correct.

Requires teachers and administrators in private voucher schools to have at least a bachelor’s degree.

Public schools would have to allow students living in their district who attend a private, charter or virtual school, or are homeschooled, to participate in extracurricular activities and sports teams. Students could be charged to join.

Creates a five star rating system for public schools, replacing the letter grade system proposed by Governor Walker. Currently, the DPI rates schools as either meeting, failing or exceeding expectations.

The full legislature and governor still have to approve the education package, which will be part of the overall budget package lawmakers are expected to vote on next month.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Gov. Walker Proposes Bold Education Budget

[maine-iac7]

two hours ago - on the right side

http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/Walkers-ban-on-Common-Core-approved-by-committee-304389761.html

[Cincinatus' Wife]

bttt

[Norseman]

What you’re about to see in Wisconsin, I think, is the largest expansion of voucher programs in the nation.

Note also the provision that kids not enrolled in public school can still participate in extracurriculars in a local public school.

Those of you who see Walker as a RINO should consider his strong support for the voucher movement.

Oh, also note the proposed requirement that every WI senior pass a civics exam prior to being able to graduate. About time. (We can argue over what’s on the test and whether 60% should be a passing score later.)