Assembly Update GOP K-12 Education Policy Development Efforts
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Assembly Update GOP K-12 Education Policy Development Efforts ith so many K-12 education to provide quality education method to account for academic policy initiatives included in while dealing with unique achievement in districts with the state budget, some have challenges, including a student high levels of poverty. wondered what education- population with an above- It is hoped these recommenda- W related issues are left for legislators average poverty rate. tions will garner bipartisan support. to work on during the remainder of b Discuss best practices to address In addition to Reps. Rodriguez and the legislative session. The answer, problems such as truancy, Pope, the task force’s other members apparently, is plenty of issues. below-average academic perfor- will be Reps. Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Assembly Speaker Robin Vos mance and low graduation rates; Berlin), Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du (R-Burlington) recently announced identify barriers that exist to the Lac), Thomas Weatherston (R-Cale- the formation of two bipartisan task successful replication of those donia), Mary Czaja (R-Irma), Scott forces on urban education and youth practices. Allen (R-Waukesha), Dave Heaton workforce readiness. This is part of (R-Wausau), John Macco (R-Green b Explore ways to improve access an overall strategy to identify bipar- Bay), Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee), to technology for virtual and tisan legislation that benefits public Jill Billings (D-La Crosse), Eric Genrich online learning purposes in high- schools to, in turn, help restore (D-Green Bay), and David Bowen poverty urban communities. better relations between the public (D-Milwaukee). education community and majority b Make recommendations to The task force is scheduled to Republican representatives. improve and expand access to meet in five urban areas in the state The bipartisan Task Force on high-quality early childhood (Madison, Kenosha/Racine, Green Urban Education is based on and a education as well as other Bay, Eau Claire, and Milwaukee) follow-up to last year’s Task Force opportunities outside of the with a plan of touring schools in on Rural Schools. The task force will classroom that help maximize the morning followed by a public be chaired by Rep. Jessie Rodriguez education outcomes. hearing in the afternoon featuring (R-Franklin) with Rep. Sondy Pope the “Opportunity Schools invited speakers and public (D-Cross Plains) as vice chair. WASB b Review and Partnership Program” estab- testimony if time permits. The GR staff met with Rep. Rodriguez to chair’s office is reaching out to the discuss the task force. According to lished in the 2015-17 budget and discuss alternatives. school districts where they are her, they will delve into the fol- holding their meetings to schedule lowing topics and provide tangible b Empower parents to take advan- tours and solicit suggestions for solutions to help improve outcomes tage of educational alternatives speakers. in urban school districts. and identify ways to encourage The Task Force on Youth Work- parents to take ownership of their b Study issues surrounding teacher force Readiness is chaired by state recruitment and retention and child’s school and education. Rep. Bob Kulp (R-Stratford) and make recommendations that b Review the school report card vice-chaired by state Rep. Katrina will help empower teachers system and discuss the best Shankland (D-Stevens Point). The This is part of an overall strategy to identify bipartisan legislation that benefits public schools to, in turn, help restore better relations between the public education community and majority Republican representatives. 26 | WISCONSIN SCHOOL NEWS task force’s charge is to come up Cory Mason (D-Racine), Mandela but more efforts need to be made to with new strategies to encourage Barnes (D-Milwaukee), and Mark build awareness of this program- Wisconsin youth to pursue careers in Spreitzer (D-Beloit). ming. Another common theme the trades, manufacturing industries WASB GR staff attended its first expressed was the need for the state and technical fields. Members will meeting on Sept. 10 where the task to continue to provide resources in explore ways to improve collabora- force heard invited testimony from this area. The second hearing of the tion between schools, technical the Department of Workforce Devel- task force is scheduled for Sept.29 colleges and local employers; opment (DWD), the Department of in Wausau at North Central Tech- increase awareness of apprentice- Public Instruction (DPI), the Wis- nical College. ships and internships in these fields; consin Technical College System We will provide additional infor- and examine future industry needs (WTCS), the Beloit School District, mation on the work of the task and challenges facing our state. the Wisconsin Board for People with In addition to Reps. Kulp and Developmental Disabilities, and forces, including the dates of future Shankland, the task force’s other Wisconsin Manufacturers & Com- meetings when they become official, members will be Reps. Joan Ballweg merce (WMC) among others. and additional information on the (R-Markesan), Andre Jacque Much of the focus was on the work group when it becomes avail- (R-De Pere), Amy Loudenbeck Youth Apprenticeship program, able. Follow the WASB Legislative (R-Clinton), Warren Petryk (R-Eleva), which is administered by the DWD. Update Blog for updates on these John Spiros (R-Marshfield), A common theme from the hearing efforts as they happen at: Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander), is that great programs are available wasblegupdate.wordpress.com/ n LEGISLATIVE STAY UP-TO-DATE on the latest state and national legislative news by following the WASB Legislative Update website. Find the WASB Legislative Update website at wasb.org. 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