Updating the educational beat
Though it’s only July, the new school year looms on the horizon. And while this may be summer break, education — like the news — never takes a vacation.
If you’ve been following the news for the last several months, you are aware that public schools are facing cuts in federal and state money of $800 million over the next two years, parental school choice has been expanded and charter schools are a favorite of Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican Legislature.
Today, I’ll take a page from Culture Editor Tom Strini’s book with a few updates on what’s happening in Milwaukee and across the state in education.
Milwaukee College Prep to open new campus
One of the best charter schools in the Milwaukee area is Milwaukee College Prep. Last week, they announced its expansion to a third campus and the start of a $9 million capital campaign.
MCP plans to enter into a lease-to-purchase contract with Milwaukee Public Schools to acquire campuses for its program. These plans include a lease/purchase of MPS’s Lloyd Street School and the 38th Street School. MCP will relocate its existing Lindsay Heights Campus to the Lloyd Street location and start an new campus at the 38th Street building. The current Metcalfe Park campus on 36th street will continue to operate.
“This is part of a larger strategic plan to reach more of our most vulnerable children with an uncompromising education,” said MCP Principal Robert Rauh. “One year ago, Milwaukee College Prep had roughly 500 scholars. With the addition of our Lindsay Heights Campus, enrollment grew to 940. As we move forward with our expansion plan and the addition of a third campus, we will have the capacity to educate 1,500 children – a three-fold increase in three years.”
MCP was founded 15 years ago by Ron and Micky Sadoff and Junior Bridgeman, and since then the charter school has regularly met its goals and exceeded the state average test scores in 2010. These achievements are met by having students develop personal mission statements to guide their daily efforts.
Excellence is expected at Milwaukee College Prep. Photo courtesy of MCP
“When you step into the school, the fierce determination of the scholars and their teachers is palpable,” said Ed Zore, one of the chairs of the capital campaign. “Now is the time for the community to share that determination.”
The campaign is being launched to raise funds to purchase and renovate the MPS buildings in the future. Details for the fall kick-off gala will be announced in the future.
School Choice expansion
With the passage of the 2011-13 biennial state budget, parental school choice is expanding. Starting in September, Milwaukee Parental School Choice will have enrollment limits lifted, expanded income limits and be open to schools throughout the county and beyond. In addition, students in the Racine Unified School District will also be allowed to enroll in private and parochial schools as an expansion of choice.
With the July 1 enactment of the state budget, schools wanting to participate in the Milwaukee expansion only have until next Monday to sign up and prove they are accredited (or will be by the start of school) to be accepted. Schools in Racine have been given until Sept. 1 to provide documentation according to the Department of Instructions. So far, eight Milwaukee County schools and 14 in Racine County have shown interest in participating in the program, which could provide them with a voucher worth approximately $6,400 for each choice student.
Schools wishing to participate in the Racine program include: Mount Pleasant Renaissance School, St. John Fisher Academy, Our Lady of Grace Academy, St. Catherine High School, St. Joseph School, John Paul II Academy, Wisconsin Lutheran School, Timberland Academy, Racine Lutheran High School, Trinity Lutheran School and St. John’s Lutheran School in Racine; Shoreland Lutheran High School in Somers; Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School in Caledonia and Concordia Lutheran School in Sturtevant.
In light of the cuts to public schools, two interesting educational pieces of legislation are floating around Madison.
Tax check-off for Public Schools?
The first addresses public school funding. Rep. Kathleen Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls) and Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) have introduced bills to create an income tax check-off to fund public schools. The bills also require that an amount equal to the total amount of designations received be appropriated to the programs in the budget. The bill would also create check-offs for Medical Assistance and shared revenue.
These check-offs would be similar to the ones for the endangered species fund, breast cancer research, or Second Harvest/Feeding America that currently appear on state income tax forms.
Bernier said she is sponsoring the legislation because she has heard people say taxes should be raised to fund education and other programs.
“This gives those people that feel they have the ability to pay more in taxes to do so without mandating that burden on those who cannot afford it,” she said.
Is this for real? Yes, there really two legislative proposals advocating this, and with a Republican majority, it has a strong chance of success. But should education funding be relegated to a voluntary check-off on the same level as a donation to the state’s “professional football stadium district?”
A proposal to allow vocational diplomas for students who aren’t academically strong could be a solution for rural schools.
Another more serious piece of educational legislation was originally an amendment to the budget bill, but was withdrawn by Rep. Mark Radcliffe (D-Black River Falls) for further consideration.
Because cuts will require schools to eliminate classes with limited enrollment in favor of those required for graduation by Wisconsin standards, Radcliffe proposed the creation of vocational diplomas for who are not strong or interested in certain academic areas.
He cited his own son on the floor of the Assembly, noting that he doesn’t do well in some academic subjects and will not attend traditional college or university — but he does enjoy shop classes.
Radcliffe proposes that local school boards may confer vocational diplomas to students, who may not have earned all the academic requirements, but have earned a sufficient number of credits in vocational subjects approved by the DPI.
He said this would also allow districts to maintain shop and agricultural classes.
Radcliffe’s proposal acknowledges that not all children are going to attend college, and recognizes the need for students to be ready to work when they graduate. The amendment wouldn’t have passed in June when the Assembly debated the budge. In light of funding cuts, however, hopefully this idea will return in the fall.
This is tiresome! Please learn more about public schools and why charter schools are not a real solution to student problems. I would think you’d see that as a duty prior to telling your readers of the “success” of particular charter schools. Such success is only apparently real- usually due to student selection and school grading practices. PLEASE learn more- – examine scientifically valid comparisons of charter and private schools to public schools. When compared in a scientifically valid way public schools perform as well or better than charter schools. Your article will be used by those who want to harm education in Milwaukee.