Secret Meetings Yield Education Policy Breakthroughs

UPDATED  9:15am – 4/12/10

MacIver News Service – [Madison, Wisc.] Democratic lawmakers and key players in the education policy arena may have struck a deal in an attempt to resolve two major education proposals, according to documents obtained by MacIver News Service.

A draft substitute amendment addresses the state’s application for a second round of federal Race to the Top grants as well as efforts to address performance issues with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). 

The proposed deal is a result of secret negotiations between Democratic legislators, representatives of the Doyle Administration, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers, MPS and WEAC, the state’s largest teachers union. 

Here is a copy of the draft amendment.

  • The legislation would empower local school boards to take a series of actions (many contingent on them being collectively bargained with local teachers’ union) if the State Superintendent of Public Instruction determines a school district in need of improvement for four consecutive years
  • The deal would require an analysis of low-performing schools, specifically what prevents them from keeping the best teachers and administrators in an attempt to keep the most qualified education professionals in the neediest schools
  • The draft provides for career counseling and transitional benefits for bad teachers who fail to improve after opportunities to do so have been provided
  • The legislation would mandate that MPS develop a master facilities plan to maximize the capacity of current buildings and manage the potential sale of empty schools and construction of any new facilities
  • The draft amendment does not address MPS governance issues, thus signalling that efforts to have the Mayor of Milwaukee assume control of the district appear to be dead

Look for more news and analysis regarding this breaking news item soon at MacIverInstitute.com.