State Democrats announced their goals for education accountability reform include reinvesting in public schools and ensuring all schools receiving public dollars are held accountable.
State Representatives, Fred Clark, D-Baraboo, Sondy Pope, D-Cross Plains and Mandy Wright, D-Wausau, emphasized their plans to implement a “fair” accountability system that incorporates open board meetings and teacher background checks for voucher schools, according to a statement release Monday.
Pope said Republicans who oppose equal accountability because they receive private interest money are playing a “very wicked game.”
Equal accountability for all schools is of “utmost importance,” Pope said.
All three members of the Assembly Education Committee stressed the need to protect public school education through increased funding and the creation of a “Turn Around” fund to support struggling schools.
Democrats want the state to fund two-thirds of the public education and factor poverty levels into the aid distribution formula. The plan would also let struggling schools use community-based solutions to lower performance rather than closing public schools after multiple failed years, according to the statement.
Clark said there has yet to be any data showing voucher or private schools outperform public schools. Public schools give students a more well-rounded education through sports, music and a sense of community, Clark said.
“A strong education system is vital for our children, our economy and Wisconsin’s future,” Wright said. “We hope Republicans will join us in finally doing the right thing for our students and our taxpayers.”
