Just when you thought “reform” couldn’t get worse, couldn’t become more hostile to real education, count on Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to think of something utterly reprehensible.
Valerie Strauss reports on Walker’s assault on his state’s great university system, both by cutting its budget by $300 million and changing its purpose.
She writes:
“Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker submitted a budget proposal that included language that would have changed the century-old mission of the University of Wisconsin system — known as the Wisconsin Idea and embedded in the state code — by removing words that commanded the university to “search for truth” and “improve the human condition” and replacing them with “meet the state’s workforce needs.”
After loud public criticism, Walker’s staff said the wording was an error.
Reflecting on Walker’s bold but brainless initiative, Arthur Camins wrote this essay on “What Is the Purpose of Education?”
Governor Walker thinks it’s to prepare the workforce. Camins disagrees:
“But it doesn’t have to be either-or. Education should prepare young people for life, work and citizenship.
“Knowledge of the natural and engineered environments and how people live in the world is critical to all three purposes of education. Critical thinking, creativity, interpersonal skills and a sense of social responsibility all influence success in life, work and citizenship. For example, unhappy personal relationships often spill over into the work environment, while a stressful workplace or unemployment negatively impacts family life. Uninformed disengaged citizens lead to poor policy choices that impact life, work and citizenship. To paraphrase the verse in the old song, “You can’t have one without the others.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
VOX has an article up on how Walker lacks a college degree but it doesn’t matter… I left them a few comments. It reminds me that someone here told me Rick Perry couldn’t get into Vet school because he was not applying himself as a student…..
LikeLike
It seems that is the way they are all going. Jindal has cut so much from the higher ed budget and needs to cut more because he is running such a defecit. I read that if these cuts go through LSU may no longer have an accredited business or engineering program. How will that help the state? How many professors will be fired? And, this is what our legislators and BESE call the flagship university of the state.
LikeLike
Perhaps they think that since other states are willing to spend money on higher Ed, why should their own state? Let New York or Massachusetts spend themselves into insolvency by supporting, among other things, higher Ed, and then their own states can reap the benefits of having someone else do the work.
LikeLike
This is all part of the starve and strip them agenda. When they fire large numbers of the staff due to budget constraints, some private corporation will step in and sell the school cheap, canned instruction. Corporations don’t really care if Americans get a strong, meaningful education. They just live for a fast return on their investment. The bigger picture eludes them. They are not patriots; they are corporatists. The rich will still be entitled to access to superior education through the top tiered schools, and the rest can “eat cake.”
LikeLike
This is part of the Koch brothers and ALEC agenda.
Betsy Smith/Retired Adjunct Professor of ESL/Cape Cod Community College
LikeLike
“Retired teacher” hits the nail on the head. I am a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin system and lived there for 30 years. As I see what’s happening in that State, it saddens me. Scott Walker is an inarticulate bozo who gets much of his funding from the Koch brothers. The ultimate demise of this country is if he gets the Republican presidential nomination. And you thought George W. was bad. You ain’t seen nothing, yet.
LikeLike
Use it up and throw it out. Every generation prior to this one invested in things that last. The current crop of “adults” seem determined to strip every bit of accrued value out of everything and add nothing.
He inherited a system someone else built. Walked in and was handed the keys. Does he feel no duty to invest in it?
I don’t know how long we can live off the value generations prior to us had the good sense and foresight to create but I do know the answer is “not forever”. Wait until they finish burning up all that accrued value. Then it really gets ugly.
LikeLike
It is truly sad that clowns like Scott Walker not only beat a recall effort but get elected again and again. Talk about What’s the Matter With Kansas? What’s the matter with Wisconsin and ultimately what’s the matter with the USA? This horrific far right wing libertarian/corporatist could run for the presidency and even get to be vice president with the likes of Jeb Bush or John Kasich? Are the American people that ignorant, delusional and suicidal? In a rational world, university education would be free or very cheap, we would have true universal medical care and Scott Walker would be a used car salesman (no disrespect to actual used car salesmen).
LikeLike
These Republic politicians feel the need to get rid of those who are smarter than them.
They don’t want to have people around who can show them up, so they work tirelessly to denigrate them, shove them to the sidelines, pass laws to prevent them from even speaking out, cause their jobs to be eliminated, etc.
They hate the educated and call them elitists when in practice, they set themselves up to be the elite, the ruling class, the Homo Superiors that rightfully are in charge, as God ordained it.
They truly believe all that claptrap, because their actions show it.
LikeLike
Many of us grew up in a kinder, more inclusive America, so it is hard for us to see the truth of life in America now. The system has shifted. We are going back to an “king and slave” (Oligarchy) system. This is more in line with historical human societies and probably more stable. Once people wake up to the reality of our system, they will lower their expectations and adapt. Humans are very adaptable. People will find joy in their families, spirituality, and friends. Significant money or a good education will be less attainable, except for those already on the top of the pyramid, so the vast majority won’t strive much. You will have to lower your expectations and make the best of what you have. Many of us, especially the older Americans, are having a hard time adjusting to this new survival-of-the-fittest society. This is not how we grew up. It will take time for most American to realize that they are slaves in a primitive form of Capitalism, and that’s about it. You don’t have to like it. If it really bothers you, you can move to a true Democracy like Canada, Germany, or Denmark. No one is forcing you to live in McDonald’s Land.
LikeLike
You can see Darwinian society emerging in Medicare. Obama is making Medicare more “efficient” so he can pay for Obamacare. This means my Medicare is not the Medicare that my mom had ten years ago; I know because I managed her affairs. Mine pays for a lot less, and I pay a lot more, even with a good Medicare supplement. There are higher deductibles, and caps on medication payments that did not exist ten years ago. Luckily, I’m not starving….yet, but others are. No one is against efficiency, and I accept making a sacrifice so others don’t lose a home if they get ill. But I am concerned how the most vulnerable among us will survive in this “brave new world.”
LikeLike
Governor Walker wanted to squash the “search for truth.” I know that $300 million is a lot of money, but I contend that the attack—get real, it was not a “drafting error”—on the search for truth and his disdain for the human condition should send chills down the spine of anyone concerned with the future of institutions of higher education in the state of Wisconsin.
http://bustedpencils.com/2015/02/choice-closer-heart/
LikeLike
“Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker submitted a budget proposal that included language that would have changed the century-old mission of the University of Wisconsin system — known as the Wisconsin Idea and embedded in the state code — by removing words that commanded the university to “search for truth” and “improve the human condition” and replacing them with “meet the state’s workforce needs.”
This right here speaks volumes about the corporate education reformers. Besides the money making aspect of their schemes, this right here is the heart and soul of their philosophy.
LikeLike
This is so revealing of the underlying disrespect behind a lot of this for the use of ones mind – at least for some folks In Walkers case it may explain his own preferences even for himself?
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLike
And the lies the Walker Administration are telling about ‘well, it’s only $2.5 million of the total budget” don’t mention that most of the UW System’s money does not come from state funding or tuition, but instead is federally-funded research, and pay-for-themselves organizations such as Student Unions, dorms and parking. It is a serious cut with no way to make up for it.
And the other lie is “Well, they have reserves to cover these cuts.” But most of those reserves are set aside for specific projects (which the Walker Adminstration has been slow to approve) and keeping reserves is considered good business practice in every other business.
You can read more on the Walker supporters’ lies about the UW System here.
LikeLike
by removing words that commanded the university to “search for truth” and “improve the human condition” and replacing them with “meet the state’s workforce needs.”
In that one change Walker has revealed the end game for the global corporate reform movement.
In fact, I’ve been watching a TV series on DVD that was produced in Canada by a Canadian film company for the Syfy channel. The series is called “Continuum” and if you want to see the world that the corporate reform movement is attempting to create, I suggest you watch that series.
Hint, in about 70 years, there is no US Congress or White House—democracy is gone and your jaw will drop when you see what the corporations do with debtors who fall behind in their credit card/loan payments.
The US Congress and the White House have been replaced by a Corporate Congress made up of the CEO’s of the major corporations that rule the world in that very possible future.
It’s obvious that the premise behind Continuum is built on what is already happening with the corporate reform agenda to privatize every service the public sector provides—even the police, prisons, courts military and schools.
LikeLike
Wisconsin’s Governor has one strategy for taking over higher education. In Ohio there is another.
The Ohio Higher Education Funding Commission—comprised of a dozen presidents of state community and four year colleges–has issued a statement supporting Governor Kasich’s ”proposal to align state funding for higher education with the state’s economic development goals.”
The statement, signed by the presidents of 21 community colleges and 14 of the higher education institutions, makes state funding contingent on rearranging post-secondary education so it is ALL about the state’s economic competitiveness. Here is some of the commentary in the report prepared under the leadership of gordon Gee, president of the state’s flagship research university, Ohio State.
“This innovative approach, which depends on the continued collaboration of all of our institutions of higher education, will help strengthen Ohio’s global competitiveness.”
“As the State of Ohio works to transform our economy, higher education has a responsibility to produce more quality graduates with the skills needed to meet the new and changing needs of businesses located in Ohio.” …
“A strong and effective engine for economic growth, Ohio’s colleges and universities have built a diverse network of relationships with businesses in Ohio and around the world. These connections will help accelerate commercialization, increase technology transfer and encourage economic growth.” ….
“In order to meet the Governor’s expectations, Ohio’s colleges and universities collectively adopt the following principles to ensure that the state’s funding will be the catalyst that generates the seamless connection between higher education, workforce development and increased economic growth for our state:”
(Some editing for length on the principles)
“Incentivize colleges and universities to improve graduation rates, the number of graduates and the time it takes to graduate in order to produce more students ready to enter the workforce.
Increase Ohio’s competitive advantage by capitalizing on our existing strengths.
Strengthen our ability to respond to new or increased workforce development opportunities in the state.
Raise participation rates in higher education among Ohio high school graduates. Attract the best and brightest students from Ohio and elsewhere to learn and work in Ohio.”
So, the job of higher education is to “meet the Governor’s expectations. ”
Studies in the arts and sciences and humanities are “worthless” investments unless these are job producers for and in OHIO.
How parochial and short-sighted. Please the Governor. Do not question his judgement. Sounds just like Race to the Top.
There are no defenders of truly “higher” education. It is all about jobs, careers, and measurable economic gain. The people who have become the presidents of colleges and universities–even leaders of those institutions known for maintaining strong liberal arts programs–are participating in the destruction of inquiry and mind-fullness–of great projects pursued for reasons other than economic gain.
LikeLike
when NCATE evaluation came through about 10 years ago there was a huge discussion at the time about the use of “social justice” in the Conceptual Framework. My friend and I left it in and we didn’t get any “flack” from the evaluators but it was something that was being attacked politically at the time and the attacks have spread…(the conceptual framework has been revised twice since and I don’t know what others have done because I retired). Each college has to prepare Conceptual Framework for review by the (formerly called) NCATE review team and it is supposed to tie in with the philosophy , vision and goals of the U. There have been a lot of attacks over the decades (worse of course since NCLB). Everything has changed in the college review process. I used to have a professor Gerry Sroufe that was at NCATE but I have lost touch with any of his work since the groups merged and I don’t know if he is still in planning and policy or still writing or whatever. I admired his work at the time (but a lot of changes have happened).
LikeLike
What caught my eye was the ad in the WP next to Strauss’s article.
I shows a young adult African-American female and a young adult Asian male with a picture of a molecule model. Below it are the words:
Enabling
opportunity
is at the heart
of all we do
ETS
measures the power of learning
Good thing there is no “standard” for truth in advertising, eh!?!?!
LikeLike
Duane: I too saw the ETS publicity; what is making my blood boil this weekend is the “report” “study” on the news that says PARRC is better than our MCAS tests and it comes from this group and is a marketing piece for Pearson; unfortunately it is scheduled for the March 15th Board of Ed meeting and they will make it “fait accompli” and accept the phony report/marketing piece. Sir Michael Barber and MBAE Release Report on MA Education
Source: The New Opportunity to Lead: A Vision for Education in Massachusetts in the Next 20 Years , March 24, 2014 this one came out a year ago and they
have another one ready to go this March 15th at the Board of Ed….. talk about truth in advertising.
One woman in the state department of ed has her name at the very end (I don’t know if she consented to their using her name) and on the front cover citations is WEST ED
and another firm in Dover NH …. so each of these “researchy organizations” will sell out for a phony report by Sir Michael Barber. I refuse to give him that title when he comes to Massachusetts. Thanks for always understanding; it helps to get my blood pressure down.
LikeLike
Maybe Scott Walker “misremembered” what he wrote. We’re stuck between a Walker and a Rauner.
LikeLike
I wouldn’t worry too much about this. Walker is just positioning himself for the upcoming nutjob competition . . . er, Republican primary season, by trying to do the nutjobbiest things he can think of to top the other nutjobs.
He will fail to gain the Republican nomination, because he has no experience in foreign policy and is too dumb to even convince the Republican voting public that he can run the country. Then, he’ll either become Jeb’s running mate or come back home for two years while Wisconsin continues to crumble around him. By the next gubernatorial election, the pendulum will have swung in WI and we’ll never hear from this bozo again.
LikeLike
Budgets are about priorities, so Governor Walker’s proposal to cut the UW-System’s state funding by 13% in the biennium, turn the system into a public authority, and gut the Wisconsin Idea language from state statute in favor of trade school language is an accurate reflection on where he feels the state’s role is in higher education. This view was accentuated in the budget because he is running for president and what he is doing polls well in the GOP nomination process. If he was not running, much of this would still have happened but not as boldly.
The Governor’s oldest son attends UW-Madison, so I doubt he has a pathological dislike for the UW-System or higher education generally. He just has a very mistaken ideology. As some have previously commented, he is true to the oligarch fabric that now characterizes the leadership of both major parties, but has its most destructive manifestation in the GOP.
The long term effect of the proposal if enacted would be to reduce access to higher education for Wisconsin’s young adults and severely damage the quality of education offered at almost all the UW System campuses. UW-Madison would have two really tough years and then would be able to use the public authority autonomy to rebound by raising tuition significantly and increasing the number of out of state students.
No one should make the mistake of underestimating the political capability of Scott Walker. When I see him described as “dumb”, a “clown,” or a “bozo” in the comments, I am reminded of how opponents have continually underestimated him in his political career because he did not complete his degree at Marquette. He may not have a degree, but he is smart and politically adept. The “drafting error” flap was uncharacteristic, because he is generally very good at avoiding controversies that are not on his terms. This is an important political skill. He has very good message discipline and is good at raising funds. Again, these are important skills. Finally, he is dogged in pursuing his priorities, which reinforces his fundraising appeal and his image as an effective executive who gets things done. We may not like it, but he will be a strong contender in the GOP nomination contests. Beware.
LikeLike
Walker is simply doing what he is told. Following orders can be accomplished with the reptilian brain. I would love to see these Walker, Kasich, and Christy puppets challenged in intense debates and by true journalists where they actually have to justify their ALEC-driven policies without resorting to FoxNews talking points, pandering to fear, hatred, and paranoia, and responding with belligerence. In Ohio, Kasich hides behind his handlers, refuses to debate opponents, never really answers tough questions without a smart ALEC comment or invoking Biblical scripture as justification.
If Walker is a serious contender for president, the our system truly has failed.
LikeLike
Having recently read Perlstein’s Before the Storm, this has been trending for a long time. Walker truly believes in his agenda. He did not need to be told to do this.
LikeLike
I have special names for him:
1. Scott Stalker
2. Scott Stocker
3. Scott Balker
LikeLike
I seriously doubt if it was an error on Walker’s part. What he posted is what he believes: people are widgets to be utilized by corporate CEOs for ever increasing monetary gain for THEM and to make plebeians out of the work force.
LikeLike
Robert Reich writes about Rauner and S. Walker….
quote: “Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, who raked in $60 million last year as chairman of a private-equity firm and then spent $65.9 million to buy the governor’s mansion, is introducing an austerity budget that will crush schools, cripple public higher education, worsen an already inadequate infrastructure, and hurt people who need help the most. He’s cutting every critical social program in the state…….. Rauner has been described as “Scott Walker on steroids,” but that’s probably being too kind to Walker.
Why oh why is it so hard to mount a ringing defense of decency and fairness, and condemn fat cats like Rauner who buy their way into power and then dump on average working people …The robber barons of the first Gilded Age paid off politicians to ransack the economy on their behalf. Now, in the Second Gilded Age they’re becoming the politicians.”
LikeLike