Senator Chris Larson Applauds Superintendent Stanford Taylor’s Vision for Wisconsin’s Public Schools

Milwaukee, WI – Senator Chris Larson, ranking Senate Democrat on education, released the following statement today in response to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Carolyn Stanford Taylor’s “State of Education” speech:

“Every child, regardless of their zip code, deserves access to a quality public education. In today’s remarks, State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford-Taylor reinforced our shared values by highlighting the important role our public schools play in Wisconsin’s communities. Schools are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods, and as such, they carry the immense burden of putting our children on a solid pathway to success.

“Providing more than just instruction, our public schools strive to address a broad spectrum of needs for children and their families, including expanding access to mental and physical health services and providing the broadband access needed for virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenging times have showcased the dexterity and commitment of our school leaders in providing a quality education under far from ideal circumstances. Unfortunately, the pandemic has also exacerbated the racial achievement gap and perpetuated social inequities that prevent our children from achieving their true potential.

“I applaud Stanford-Taylor’s service to our state and wish her well in the final few months of her tenure as Superintendent. I want to close by issuing a challenge to my legislative colleagues, that we come to work immediately and address these pressing concerns. We can provide equitable resources to urban and rural districts alike, and we must forge new pathways to help us prepare our future leaders.

“It is unacceptable that we have not given special attention to public education during this unprecedented public health emergency. It is in our power to rectify that by coming back into session now.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.