Throughout my 30 years in public education, most of it as a library media specialist, I have been a huge proponent of technology and innovation in the classroom. WEAC members all over the state use virtual technologies in their lesson plans every day, and have for a long time.
WEAC was first in calling upon the Legislature to address virtual charter schools by compromising on a law to allow students enrolled in the schools to continue their education uninterrupted. We called for the law to address fiscal and educational accountability issues associated with virtual schools, something that can only be achieved through a state audit with an enrollment cap. On Feb. 19, the State Senate passed such a law.
But in the midst of the important debate taking place in the Legislature about virtual charter schools, Wisconsin also is in the midst of a very real public school funding crisis.
Art, music and vocational education are disappearing in Wisconsin's public schools despite the talents and successes of so many teachers and staff members who specialize in these fields. The state's local school district revenue caps and the federal No Child Left Behind law are squeezing public schools at both ends. In the 15 years since state government began imposing revenue caps on local school budgets, schools have been forced to cut programs across the board. Subjects that are not tested for compliance with the No Child law - such as art, music and vocational education - are hit especially hard.
In the latest survey of superintendents conducted by WEAC and the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, 58 percent of the superintendents said they reduced those very courses during the 2006-07 school year. Cuts in these areas have worsened every year since 2001-2002.
Meanwhile, 75 percent of the school districts responding to the survey increased class sizes across all subject areas because of the caps. Sixty-two percent offered fewer courses and 79 percent delayed the purchase of books and other curricular materials. Districts have been forced to reduce programs for students at risk as well as the gifted and talented. Cuts have worsened in each of the 27 program and service areas included in the survey.
Throughout our state, 43 school districts are holding referendum initiatives in April to attempt to override the caps that are driving them toward bankruptcy.
In my conversations with parents and community members, I have found that most of us expect a lot from our public schools. As we should. Children reach their potential as students and human beings when they have a well-rounded education that includes a wide variety of courses and programs. In a public opinion survey conducted for WEAC last summer, almost 80 percent of the general public said it is very important or extremely important for schools to "offer a variety of classes and activities including art, music and vocational education."
If that 80 percent includes you, I encourage you to become involved in your local schools and advocate on behalf of the majority you represent. Too often, the loudest voices in the education debate represent narrow interests that do not place the same value you do on a well-rounded education. The chorus is drowned out by a vocal minority.
If you want your voice heard you can start by going to WEAC's Web site - weac.org - to read about what people in your state believe about public education, and adding your perspective. How did the well-rounded education you received impact the life you now have? How do you think it would affect your community if fewer of your neighbors and co-workers had an education that included art, music and vocational education?
Let us know. And let's keep talking.
WEAC was first in calling upon the Legislature to address virtual charter schools by compromising on a law to allow students enrolled in the schools to continue their education uninterrupted. We called for the law to address fiscal and educational accountability issues associated with virtual schools, something that can only be achieved through a state audit with an enrollment cap. On Feb. 19, the State Senate passed such a law.
But in the midst of the important debate taking place in the Legislature about virtual charter schools, Wisconsin also is in the midst of a very real public school funding crisis.
Art, music and vocational education are disappearing in Wisconsin's public schools despite the talents and successes of so many teachers and staff members who specialize in these fields. The state's local school district revenue caps and the federal No Child Left Behind law are squeezing public schools at both ends. In the 15 years since state government began imposing revenue caps on local school budgets, schools have been forced to cut programs across the board. Subjects that are not tested for compliance with the No Child law - such as art, music and vocational education - are hit especially hard.
In the latest survey of superintendents conducted by WEAC and the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, 58 percent of the superintendents said they reduced those very courses during the 2006-07 school year. Cuts in these areas have worsened every year since 2001-2002.
Meanwhile, 75 percent of the school districts responding to the survey increased class sizes across all subject areas because of the caps. Sixty-two percent offered fewer courses and 79 percent delayed the purchase of books and other curricular materials. Districts have been forced to reduce programs for students at risk as well as the gifted and talented. Cuts have worsened in each of the 27 program and service areas included in the survey.
Throughout our state, 43 school districts are holding referendum initiatives in April to attempt to override the caps that are driving them toward bankruptcy.
In my conversations with parents and community members, I have found that most of us expect a lot from our public schools. As we should. Children reach their potential as students and human beings when they have a well-rounded education that includes a wide variety of courses and programs. In a public opinion survey conducted for WEAC last summer, almost 80 percent of the general public said it is very important or extremely important for schools to "offer a variety of classes and activities including art, music and vocational education."
If that 80 percent includes you, I encourage you to become involved in your local schools and advocate on behalf of the majority you represent. Too often, the loudest voices in the education debate represent narrow interests that do not place the same value you do on a well-rounded education. The chorus is drowned out by a vocal minority.
If you want your voice heard you can start by going to WEAC's Web site - weac.org - to read about what people in your state believe about public education, and adding your perspective. How did the well-rounded education you received impact the life you now have? How do you think it would affect your community if fewer of your neighbors and co-workers had an education that included art, music and vocational education?
Let us know. And let's keep talking.
