Wisconsin

Concerns about the importance and need to mobilize Black and Latino voters in 2016 and future elections have reached a fever pitch. But in many states and cities there are counterproductive disenfranchisement actions being taken that disempower Black and Latino communities -- the takeover of their public schools. In this attack on democracy, governance by locally elected school boards is stripped away altogether. This dismantling of democracy in predominantly poor communities and communities of color is now underway, or being proposed, in several states. Denying these citizens' right to elect local school boards through state takeovers or mayoral control should sound the same alarm as denying them the vote because the impact of the action minimizes their democratic voice and vote.

Since 2010, the Education Law Center has published national report cards on how states are (or aren't) investing in their schools and students. "Is School Funding Fair? A National Report Card" released Wednesday, paints a worrying picture. In most states, ELC has found that public funding for schools is both unfair and inequitable: that is, not only are schools not receiving the funds they need, the schools that need funding the most are the ones with the most dramatic shortfalls.

Policymakers in Wisconsin should use the projected budget surplus $900 million to invest in schools and students and make up for years of budget cuts.

Nationally recognized researcher and academic Devon Carlson will be in Wisconsin in November on a week-long tour to talk about the impact on students, schools, and communities of using public tax dollars for private schools — better known as the voucher program.

One thousand public education advocates from across Wisconsin gathered in Milwaukee on Sept. 21 for the second “Public Education is a Civil Right March and Rally.”

If you support Wisconsin's outstanding public schools, Milwaukee is the place to be on Saturday, Sept. 21. Students, parents, active and retired educators and school administrators, clergy, civil rights groups and community leaders will be hosting the second "Public Education is A Civil Right March and Rally." Now is the time to stand up for the public schools and children in every corner of Wisconsin!