Madison Schools Keep Failing
To quote a Wisconsin State Journal story on test scores that were released yesterday: “The four specific categories used to calculate the district’s overall achievement score all declined in comparison with last year’s school report card. Graduate rates fell slightly, while chronic absenteeism, or the percentage of students that miss at least 10% of school, increased. Performance and growth among the district’s target student groups also declined.”
None of that is really news. MMSD has been way underperforming for years. And yet, Madison voters overwhelmingly approved two referendums that will authorize $507 million in capital improvements and another $100 million in operational spending, which will continue forever. The average taxpayer will shell out another $1,300 or so in a few years.
I wasn’t surprised that the referendums passed, but I was surprised at the margins. At around 70%, that’s about the same as the last set of referendums from a few years ago, despite the poor performance and despite the fact that these represent record property tax increases at a time when affordable housing is a top issue.
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The data clearly indicate that being able to read is not a requirement for graduation at (Madison) East, especially if you are black or Hispanic”
My Question to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Teacher Mulligans and our Disastrous Reading Results
2017: West High Reading Interventionist Teacher’s Remarks to the School Board on Madison’s Disastrous Reading Results
Madison’s taxpayer supported K-12 school district, despite spending far more than most, has long tolerated disastrous reading results.
“An emphasis on adult employment”
Wisconsin Public Policy Forum Madison School District Report[PDF]
WEAC: $1.57 million for Four Wisconsin Senators
Friday Afternoon Veto: Governor Evers Rejects AB446/SB454; an effort to address our long term, disastrous reading results
Booked, but can’t read (Madison): functional literacy, National citizenship and the new face of Dred Scott in the age of mass incarceration.
When A Stands for Average: Students at the UW-Madison School of Education Receive Sky-High Grades. How Smart is That?
