Last week was eventful in the Assembly Education Committee, of which I am the ranking Republican member. The committee has met twice, and discussed important measures that will impact K-12 education in Wisconsin.
The Education Committee had an informational hearing on the upcoming "Race to the Top" program. The program provides funding for states based on a competitive federal grant program run by the U.S. Department of Education. The funding will be provided to states based on certain parameters set by the Obama Administration and will help implement significant education reforms.
I am working to ensure Wisconsin is eligible for the grant and that our application is as competitive as possible. To be eligible, Wisconsin must allow student achievement data to be linked to teachers for evaluation purposes. Currently, Wisconsin has statutory language prohibiting this practice, which makes our state ineligible for the grants. Therefore, I have introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 393, which simply will remove the barriers currently in place. Further legislation will be needed to specify how student performance and teacher evaluations are to be linked.
In addition, I soon will be introducing comprehensive legislation that will change student assessment and testing, and will raise standards in our schools. I am hopeful that Wisconsin will obtain Race to the Top funding, to help offset the cost for implementing these reforms. I will detail the specifics of the legislation in future updates.
The Education Committee also had a public hearing on AB 210. This bill would create a tax deduction for education supplies paid for by teachers in public and private schools.
After speaking with dozens of teachers in our area, it is clear that almost all teachers spend a sizable sum of their own money on classroom supplies to help increase the quality of our children's education. Currently, a federal individual income tax deduction exists for teachers. AB 210 would create a state income tax deduction for an amount up to $500 for educational materials and supplies purchased for use in school classrooms. After hearing testimony on this bill, I am receptive to the idea, and likely will support the measure.
I look forward to the upcoming fall period of the legislative session and will be working on many more policies designed to reform and improve our state's K-12 education system. I am excited about the potential positive impact these measures will have for our children and am hopeful we can enact meaningful reforms.
I want to hear from you, so feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you by calling 888-534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 11 West, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
The Education Committee had an informational hearing on the upcoming "Race to the Top" program. The program provides funding for states based on a competitive federal grant program run by the U.S. Department of Education. The funding will be provided to states based on certain parameters set by the Obama Administration and will help implement significant education reforms.
I am working to ensure Wisconsin is eligible for the grant and that our application is as competitive as possible. To be eligible, Wisconsin must allow student achievement data to be linked to teachers for evaluation purposes. Currently, Wisconsin has statutory language prohibiting this practice, which makes our state ineligible for the grants. Therefore, I have introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 393, which simply will remove the barriers currently in place. Further legislation will be needed to specify how student performance and teacher evaluations are to be linked.
In addition, I soon will be introducing comprehensive legislation that will change student assessment and testing, and will raise standards in our schools. I am hopeful that Wisconsin will obtain Race to the Top funding, to help offset the cost for implementing these reforms. I will detail the specifics of the legislation in future updates.
The Education Committee also had a public hearing on AB 210. This bill would create a tax deduction for education supplies paid for by teachers in public and private schools.
After speaking with dozens of teachers in our area, it is clear that almost all teachers spend a sizable sum of their own money on classroom supplies to help increase the quality of our children's education. Currently, a federal individual income tax deduction exists for teachers. AB 210 would create a state income tax deduction for an amount up to $500 for educational materials and supplies purchased for use in school classrooms. After hearing testimony on this bill, I am receptive to the idea, and likely will support the measure.
I look forward to the upcoming fall period of the legislative session and will be working on many more policies designed to reform and improve our state's K-12 education system. I am excited about the potential positive impact these measures will have for our children and am hopeful we can enact meaningful reforms.
I want to hear from you, so feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you by calling 888-534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 11 West, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
