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Pride Cometh Before the Fall in Education Standards
There is more than a little talk about what Wisconsin’s state superintendent left out of her most recent State of Education address.
Superintendent Jill Underly on Thursday told a crowd at the Wisconsin Capitol that she is proud of the Pride that Wisconsin public schools are recognizing in their students.
“We must begin with pride. Because there is much to be proud of. Pride in our schools. Pride in our educators. And most importantly: Pride in our students. Across Wisconsin, our public schools are strong. They are places where every child belongs. Where diversity is celebrated — not demonized. Where differences aren’t feared, but embraced and seen as opportunities to grow together as human beings,” Underly said.
She, however, focused less on reading, writing and math. And when she did, she only hit the broad strokes.
"Graduation rates in Wisconsin are at record highs. Wisconsin students continue to outperform the national average on key assessments. Opportunities in STEM and career and technical education are growing rapidly. Our bipartisan early literacy reforms are taking shape," Underly added.
Will Flanders, an education expert at the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, said Underly left a lot out of her speech.
"Dr. Underly mentions that graduation rates are at record highs, but what good are high rates if graduates can't read their diploma? Even with inflated proficiency standards, only 41.9% of Wisconsin high schoolers meet expectations in reading," he wrote on X.
Flanders also took issue with Underly’s calls for more money for Wisconsin public schools.
"It would be great for an intrepid education reporter to address her claim that public education is being starved with data that shows inflation-adjusted spending has doubled since the 1970s," he added.
And he took issue with Underly’s talk of inclusion.
“Far worse than kids feeling overlooked and outside "the fence" is telling them they are doing well when they are not. Preparing students for the jobs and workforce of the future is far more important than platitudes about inclusion,” Flanders wrote.
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