News
January 30, 2025 | By Benjamin Yount
Policy Issues
Education

Brittany Kinser: State Superintendent’s Race Should be about Reading, not Politics

Kinser said the focus on her campaign is not political. Rather she wants to see Wisconsin schools get to 95% reading proficiency.

Brittany Kinser Running for State Superintendent

Brittany Kinser is not a Republican. She’s said that she is a Blue Dog Democrat, but she also said that she’s running for Wisconsin State Superintendent to figure out a way to dramatically improve Wisconsin's reading score.

Kinser spoke on News Talk 1130 WISN Thursday morning.

“I know I’m on the record for calling myself a Blue Dog Democrat. That was when I thought I wasn’t running,” Kinser said. “I am able to work across the aisle. And I’ve done this. During my work here in Wisconsin I’ve been able to work with the Republicans, and the Democrats, and the governor’s office. And then here in Milwaukee I’ve been able to work with the Democrats and the Republicans, because it was all for kids.”

Kinser is a former science and special education teacher. She’s also an education consultant, and was the CEO of the City Forward Collective, and oversaw the public charter Rocketship schools in Milwaukee.

She said the focus on her campaign is not political. Rather she wants to see Wisconsin schools get to 95% reading proficiency.

“We are in a reading crisis here in this country, and here in Wisconsin,” she added.

The latest National Report Card shows just 31% of Wisconsin’s fourth graders and 31% of the state’s eight graders are proficient on the state’s reading tests.

Kinser said part of the solution to the state’s reading problems are returning to high standards, and a moving back toward the science of reading.

“What I think we need to do is ensure that we are focusing on reading, writing, and math with curriculum that is research and evidence-based,” Kinser added. “We are supporting our teachers, and we’re building their skills everyday.”

Kinser said public schools likely do need more money from the state, particularly for special education and school bus consts.

But she said that the state’s Department of Public Instruction and local schools need to make sure parents and taxpayers know what they’re paying, and what they’re getting for their money.

“I’ve said this to superintendents. ‘Where is the money going?’ We should see that as going into the classroom, and supporting our teachers,”Kinser added. “And if it’s not. If [schools] are spending a ton of money on the district level or bureaucracy, you’ve got to find a way to get that back into the classroom.

Kinser is running against current State Superintendent Jill Underly, and Sauk Prairie Superintendent Jeff Wright in the February primary.

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