Search Results for: MPS

New, Stringent Testing Standards Lead to Lower Scores Statewide

By Brett Healy -

Wisconsin’s proficiency rates took a big hit in 2012-2013 thanks to more stringent standards on the WKCE. Fewer than half of the state’s students met national benchmarks in mathematics – and that figure fell to just 36 percent when it came to reading. This is a significant difference from the grades that Wisconsin students turned in under the old standards, which suggested that nearly 80 percent of all pupils were proficient in reading in 2011-2012.  Read More New, Stringent Testing Standards Lead to Lower Scores Statewide

School Administrator Association Director Ignores Data in Op-Ed Against School Choice

By Brett Healy -

Special Perspective from James Wigderson breaks down Miles Turner’s Op-Ed “There are no ‘failing’ Wisconsin schools.” Turner is the executive director of the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators. Wigderson looks into each claim by Turner to provide the full and honest story that Turner neglected to mention in his article.  Read More School Administrator Association Director Ignores Data in Op-Ed Against School Choice

Eau Claire, Wausau, Green Bay Lead the Way Amongst Large Districts in Wisconsin When it Comes to Attainment Gaps Between Students

By Policy Staff -

On Tuesday, the Department of Public Instruction released the latest round of graduation rate data for Wisconsin. While it showed that more students were earning diplomas in four years than they had in 2010 and 2011, there was still a persistent gap in attainment between the state’s white, African American, and Hispanic students. A closer look at that data suggests that this problem is prevalent in the state’s biggest cities – but minimal in Milwaukee.  Read More Eau Claire, Wausau, Green Bay Lead the Way Amongst Large Districts in Wisconsin When it Comes to Attainment Gaps Between Students

Liberal Forward Institute Inaccurately Discredits School Choice Study

By Policy Staff -

A recent analysis by a Madison think tank is trying to poke holes in the six-year work of the School Choice Demonstration Project (SCDP). The true discovery here, however, is that this report from the Forward Institute seems to be more interested in discrediting the SCDP’s results than providing meaningful statistical analysis on the data or the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program itself.  Read More Liberal Forward Institute Inaccurately Discredits School Choice Study

Walker Wants Major Education Reform Included in Budget

By Brett Healy -

MacIver News Service (Updated 2/19/13 at 10:36AM) – Governor Scott Walker has some big changes in mind for public education in Wisconsin as he proposes increasing education funding by $475.6 million in the next state budget. His proposals include expanding school choice to more districts across the state and adding more performance based incentives for K-12 schools and colleges.  Read More Walker Wants Major Education Reform Included in Budget

Gov. Walker to Propose Bold, Comprehensive Education Reform in Budget

By Policy Staff -

by Christian D’Andrea – MacIver Institute Education Policy Analyst
On Sunday, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker unveiled the bulk of his plans for public education for the 2013-2015 budget cycle. Walker’s budget will call for nearly $200 million in additional state funding for K-12 public schools across Wisconsin. However, the announcement that he’ll look to expand school vouchers throughout the state – including to low-performing districts and from border-to-border for special needs students – will be the headliner as this year’s legislative session progresses.  Read More Gov. Walker to Propose Bold, Comprehensive Education Reform in Budget