By Jarett Fields, DFER Wisconsin
Today’s college students are crucial allies in the struggle to ensure children and families around the state of Wisconsin have quality schools. As the education reform movement grows in Wisconsin, it is imperative that we engage with these future leaders.
On Thursday evening, I had the opportunity to speak with students at the University of Wisconsin (UW) in a discussion about education reform at the local and state level. The event was hosted by UW’s Bipartisan Issues Group and Students for Education Reform.
I spoke on behalf of DFER’s mission to support the expansion of independent high-quality public charter schools in Wisconsin. I also discussed the importance of informing parents statewide about the benefits of expanding high-quality educational options.
While speaking with the students, I noted four important initiatives that are currently underway to help improve Wisconsin’s educational landscape through the recently introduced Assembly bill that proposes independent public charter school expansion (AB40). If passed, the bill would do the following: 1) expand independent public charter schools to cities like Madison and Green Bay; 2) provide for a per-pupil funding increase for students attending those schools; 3) expand the Charter School Oversight Board; and, 4) increase funding to ensure Teach for America continues to play a vital role in supporting our schools in the state.
When State Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) joined the discussion, students were able to hear her thoughts and unique plans for improving education throughout the state. She proposed focusing on developing parent centers to engage parents in their child’s education as well provide them with educational and professional training for employment.