MADISON — Today, Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jill Underly, will deliver her sixth State of Education Address. Since becoming State Superintendent, Underly has repeatedly requested massive education spending increases. At a time when families are demanding accountability and better results from public institutions, taxpayers deserve answers before being asked to write a larger check. Ahead of the address, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce issued three urgent questions that Underly must answer to justify additional taxpayer investment.
1. Wisconsin public schools are failing our children. What will DPI do with additional taxpayer dollars to improve student outcomes?
Nearly two-thirds of Wisconsin students are below grade level for math, and 7 in 10 students are below grade level for reading. That is wholly unacceptable.
Research shows that if a student cannot read by third grade, he or she will never catch up. Reading and math are essential for students to transition into the workforce. According to a study released earlier this year, a majority of Wisconsin employers indicated that they have employees who struggle with reading, math, or both – necessary skills in any position.
DPI must act now to improve student outcomes.
2. Why did DPI lower academic standards, and will the department commit to restoring rigorous and transparent measures of student achievement?
Recently, DPI changed its academic benchmarks in a way that inflated school performance metrics. Despite the vast majority of Wisconsin students not reading or performing math at grade level, DPI issued school report cards showing that 94% of Wisconsin schools met or exceeded expectations.
At best, this masks the true extent of the problem. At worst, it misleads parents and taxpayers about the state of student achievement.
3. How can taxpayers trust that additional education funding will be used effectively?
Wisconsin is funding students at a level twice as much as in 2000 – about $18,592 per student each year. That is more than fifty percent higher than the tuition to attend UW-Madison this year.
Despite a 7% decline in student enrollment over the past two decades, school districts increased administrative staffing by 40% and non-teaching staff by 28%, while reducing teacher positions by 2%.
Before taxpayers provide even more funding, they deserve to know how DPI will ensure additional dollars go toward improving student outcomes rather than growing administrative overhead.
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