A high school teacher in Wisconsin looks at what Governor Scott Walker and the state legislature have in store for public schools. It bears mentioning that Wisconsin public schools have the highest graduation rate in the nation.
He writes:
I teach at a wonderful high school in La Crosse, WI. Here is what is coming for us as an early Christmas present, courtesy of Scott Walker and his Republican toadies in the legislature:
1. The (failed) Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) will be expanded to the entire state. There is no logic, other than “Choice must be good”.
2. There will be a new state charter board that will oversee all charters, including those already run by the school districts. There will be onerous new rules that will make compliance difficult, and that will remove any oversight, even of the charters that the districts themselves run. These changes will likely have the effect of killing many of the successful public charters. This should open the door for lots of private charters, given their rampant success in Louisiana, Florida, and New York.
3. Possible continued freeze on revenue, so that even when the governor says there will be more money for schools, it will really just be a tax refund, no actual money in the schools’ coffers.
4. Removal of many/all the already flimsy restraints on the current voucher program. This could mean, in just a few years, that every child currently enrolled in a private school could start receiving a voucher to attend that school. A child would not have to ever have attended a public school of any type, much less a “failing” public school. This money would come directly from the state aid a district receives. So, our district could end up losing money for students that have never attended our (successful) schools.
These things are being sold as “Every parent should have the constitutional right to choose the appropriate education for his/her child” or even more simply “This levels the playing field” or some other moronic statement that has no relevance to the decisions being made and the consequences of those decisions.
If you have any way to help get the word out, or if you have the ear of someone who is “in on” the decision-making, please help. These changes could start very small, very innocuously, and within 2-4 years our public school system would be decimated beyond repair.
Thanks
John Havlicek
Spanish Teacher Central HS
Dept. Chair WLD
La Crosse, WI 54601
handyman.coach@yahoo.com
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Many people in Ohio have been watching the hideous behavior of Gov Walker. We have stood by you throughout all that he has done in the past few years. When we overturned Senate Bill 5 in Ohio, we were cheered on by people from Wisconsin. There are several “governors” that seem to have no concern for the common person. Their goal is to “take back” what they perceive as “theirs” feeling no responsibility for society as a whole. Our “governor” has found ways, with his legislature, to write much of what we overturned into his own budget, thwarting the wish of the people. Over a million signatures were gathered in Ohio. This is an unprecedented number. Still he snarled and turned his head away from what we demanded.
I don’t think this issue will stop until certain people turn public schools into their personal version of “Christian” schools, that allow no opinions or beliefs but their own.
I know some who are of one particular faith that are trying to rebuild their membership, bringing students and parents back to them as the original and true faith. There are others that wish to put their brand of “science” into the classroom. Others spew so many misguided ideas about prayer, the flag, and anyone who doesn’t agree with their religious viewpoint. One school district (I forget where) tried to demand that all students had to make a declaration of their faith in order to graduate from a public school!
I see a society of people who can’t even agree with a belief system within their own families. How would we force feed these notions onto the entire public? And, would these people accept having other faiths forced onto them? Doubtful.
But, this is where the private schools are heading. To me, it is deliberate segregation, by faith, by race, by economic level, by “class” … and while they don’t want to pay taxes themselves, they want to demand that these private schools are funded by tax money.
Some but not all of the billionaire backers of the public takeover movement are motivated by religion, but many are just opportunistic expedient money-grabbers.
If you figure out how to combat this, spread the word.
Too many people are simply living in their own little bubbles, lacking concern for the big picture.
LikeLike
Excellent response, Deb. Makes me sick. The greedy one and their need for control and power over people are morally bankrupt.
LikeLike
The voucher bait and switch. First they tried to get vouchers for the kids in the private prep schools. No way says everyone. Now they get vouchers approved to give the parents choice. Oh, and by the way, private school parents get what you turned down years ago. Another hidden republican agenda surfaces.
LikeLike
While the Governor and the legislature are cooking up many problematic things, there are so many inaccuracies in this teacher’s letter that I am surprised that you published it. The charter proposal has not gone through. There will be an increase in public school funding (though not as much as needed). The voucher expansion is miniscule. While it is good to rally opposition to bad proposals, it is better to do so with accurate information.
LikeLike
Always have your facts in hand or you will get seriously slapped by them or someone like systemschangeconsulting or a wiseXXXX like me. You cannot take them on except for having the facts which are backed by their documents in hand. Then get the bums out of office and all who support their terroristic society destroying ideas and ideology. This is the citizens obligation if they want a government which supports them.
LikeLike
“….Wisconsin public schools have the highest graduation rate in the nation.” I don’t think so?
NJ ◾High school graduation rate is #1 in the nation. That’s according to the NJEA web site. Christie and Cerf don’t talk about this fact very much and when they do, they knock it down or minimize its importance. It doesn’t fit in with the “ourfailingschools” bumper sticker mantra.
LikeLike
According to National Center for Education Statistics, Wisconsin grad rate is highest
LikeLike
To echo what others have written, on Havlicek’s points:
1) Accurate. There is a statewide voucher expansion in the budget capped in 500 students in year 1 and 1,000 students thereafter.
2)The proposal was for a new board approving and overseeing new authorizers chartering schools enrolling students in nine larger districts. It was removed from the budget.
3) The original budget did have new education money that was all targeted towards property tax relief. The budget as of today allows $150 in new revenue per-pupil that districts are able to spend.
4) Not sure what he is referencing here. There was a new private tuition tax credit approved that would apply to students already in private schools. This, and the voucher expansion, is funded through state General Purpose Revenue, not school aids. The 100% GPR funding for the new voucher program differs from the way the Milwaukee voucher program is funded.
LikeLike
NJEA’s source for their claim that New Jersey ranks first in the nation in the percentage of students graduating high school is Education Week: Diploma Counts 2012: Trailing Behind, Moving Forward. June 2012 http://www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2012/06/07/index.html. I guess it all depends on the methodology, the year and God knows what else.
LikeLike
It usually does with any statistic.
LikeLike
The reformers in every state will claim that the state they are in are the “worst.” It seems we are all 50th. It does depent on the methodology and the message the reformers want to push.
LikeLike
If private schools are going to accept public tax dollars then they need to answer to the taxpayer. They need to take required tests and accept special ed students. Why would any private school want the public to meddle in their affairs?
LikeLike
DeeDee, that’s part of the charter school operator’s master plan. Parent has, say, $4200 in the form of a voucher check. They go look around at the local private schools, who’s tuitions range from 8k to 30k, and realize they can’t afford one. But wait! If only there was a private school who’s tuition was more affordable. Enter “XYZ Charter School,” who’s tuition is, coincidentally, $4200.
LikeLike
Malditos-je je-sean los profesores de español que saben pensar por si mismos, que luchan contra las fuerzas que quieren destruir las escuelas públicas. Ojalá que sus directores no averigüen de lo que ha escrito Ud. Tenga cuidado, eh.
LikeLike