Last week, Gov. Jim Doyle announced that he has been notified by the U.S. Department of Education that Wisconsin did not make the cut for the first round of the new Race to the Top program. Although this was news to some, I was not surprised by the announcement, due to the lack of action by Gov. Doyle and the Democratic majority in the Legislature.
Earlier last year, President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan visited Wisconsin in an effort to raise awareness about the Race to the Top program. The program will distribute federal grants to states that take action to implement meaningful education reforms. In fact, Secretary Duncan called a provision in Wisconsin law that prohibits linking student assessments with teacher evaluation simply "ridiculous."
Therefore, I joined with Senator Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, to introduce legislation designed to allow the linking of student test scores to teacher evaluations. We felt this change would be a big step forward and would strengthen our state's application for the Race to the Top grant. It would also open the door to creating a merit pay system, yet another education reform idea that I've authored, which would reward our state's best teachers.
However, our legislation was not considered, and instead the Legislature passed a much watered-down version of the bill. Rather than remove the firewall between student tests and teacher evaluations, as recommended by Secretary Duncan, the Democrats implemented 425 more firewalls. Despite my opposition, the legislation that was passed requires teacher evaluations to be a mandatory subject of bargaining, which means none of the state's 425 school districts will end up implementing the measure. Furthermore, the bill language does not allow school districts to take disciplinary action against bad teachers. Both provisions were strongly supported by WEAC, the state's teachers union.
Clearly, the action taken by the Democrats in the Legislature sent a message that they were not serious about reform. In fact, it is direct evidence as to how effective and powerful the teachers union has become. Earlier this month it was announced that WEAC spent more money and time, over $1.5 million and 7,239 hours, lobbying your state legislators and governor than any other organization. Unfortunately, it seems clear that for them, it was money well spent.
We shouldn't need federal grant money dangled in front of us to make the education reform changes that our state needs.
Although the legislative session is coming to a close, we still have time to act. The application for a second round of grants is due in June. I will continue to push for the reforms that will improve K-12 education in Wisconsin and make our application stronger.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
Earlier last year, President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan visited Wisconsin in an effort to raise awareness about the Race to the Top program. The program will distribute federal grants to states that take action to implement meaningful education reforms. In fact, Secretary Duncan called a provision in Wisconsin law that prohibits linking student assessments with teacher evaluation simply "ridiculous."
Therefore, I joined with Senator Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, to introduce legislation designed to allow the linking of student test scores to teacher evaluations. We felt this change would be a big step forward and would strengthen our state's application for the Race to the Top grant. It would also open the door to creating a merit pay system, yet another education reform idea that I've authored, which would reward our state's best teachers.
However, our legislation was not considered, and instead the Legislature passed a much watered-down version of the bill. Rather than remove the firewall between student tests and teacher evaluations, as recommended by Secretary Duncan, the Democrats implemented 425 more firewalls. Despite my opposition, the legislation that was passed requires teacher evaluations to be a mandatory subject of bargaining, which means none of the state's 425 school districts will end up implementing the measure. Furthermore, the bill language does not allow school districts to take disciplinary action against bad teachers. Both provisions were strongly supported by WEAC, the state's teachers union.
Clearly, the action taken by the Democrats in the Legislature sent a message that they were not serious about reform. In fact, it is direct evidence as to how effective and powerful the teachers union has become. Earlier this month it was announced that WEAC spent more money and time, over $1.5 million and 7,239 hours, lobbying your state legislators and governor than any other organization. Unfortunately, it seems clear that for them, it was money well spent.
We shouldn't need federal grant money dangled in front of us to make the education reform changes that our state needs.
Although the legislative session is coming to a close, we still have time to act. The application for a second round of grants is due in June. I will continue to push for the reforms that will improve K-12 education in Wisconsin and make our application stronger.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
