News Roundup

Press coverage about SB 22 is picking up! Let's keep spreading the word! Check out the latest articles about this damaging legislation:

Rep. Pop-Roberts Exposes Walker's Budgeting Errors
Walker Overestimated Effects of School Savings, Dem Lawmaker Says
Debate Surrounds Possible Effects of Charter School Legislation
Wisconsin Lawmakers Want to Lift Virtual Charter Cap

You can find links to more articles here.

We need to educate our legislators about how the privatization of public schools is playing out in other places. We can help them make connections between the detrimental effects of the un-checked proliferation of charters in other cities and the negative consequences that SB 22 will have for public education in Wisconsin.

Follow national news here. Here are a few articles about how similar manouvers are underway in Florida. Scott's agenda for Florida shows how the Republican agenda works to undermine public education in a calculated way. First, tie teacher pay to performance and do away with unions. Then, open the floodgates for the privatization of education through charter schools. These types of legislation work together to chip away at and undermine public eduction.

Gov. Rick Scott Urges Lawmakers to Expand Charter Schools
Gov. Rick Scott Signs Teacher Bill and Says Florida Needs More Charter Schools

Watch archived testimony

Click here to access the Wisconsin Eye video archive of yesterday's hearing on SB 20, 34, and 22.

Thanks to all who came out to testify.  You can still send us a written copy of your testimony if you'd like us to post it: publicschools4publicgood@gmail.com.

Thanks for speaking out against SB 22!

Thanks to all who showed up today to have their voices heard by the Senate Committee on Education.  Hundreds of people came out to testify, and the hearing on SB 22 lasted from 2pm to 8pm!  Thanks for making sure our voices were heard.  We'd love to post as much of the testimony as we can - email yours to us at publicschools4publicgood@gmail.com.

Even though the hearing is over, we still have work to do.  We need to continue to spread the word about SB 22 and contact our legislators to voice our opinions against this privatization of public schools. 

We also learned today that Senator Vinehout is deeply interested in understanding the underlying corporate and money dynamics involved with charters, especially the franchises.  We should email her and other senators on the Education Committee literature about this, along with studies that show failures or inconclusive evidence about the performance of charter schools.

Let's educate these senators and see what they can do!
Senator Vinehout
Senator Olsen
Senator Vukmir
Senator Grothman
Senator Darling
Senator Jauch
Senator Larson

Click here for more information about these key legislators.

Send us your testimony!

We want to compile testimony given in opposition to SB 22.  Send us an email with yours so we can post it!

Public testimony for/ against SB 22 is now underway (2 pm)!

Follow live updates of the Senate Education Committee hearing on SB 22 on facebook at Stop the Charter School Bill (SB-22).

Please e-mail a copy of your testimony to publicschools4publicgood@gmail.com so we can compile and post these testimonies for the public to read.  

Testimony from WI Department of Public Instruction

Deputy State Superintendent Dr. Michael Thompson is testifying now against SB 22.  Read his testimony here.

Some of his main points were:
-The bill reduces aids to school districts
-The bill will exacerbate inequities in school funding
-The ability to create multiple charters under one contract may give rise to cookie cutter charter schools, rather than unique and innovative models
-There is a danger that, with the creation of an appointed Charter School Authorizing Board, this will give rise to a separate, independent public school system that is unaccountable to taxpayers
-Requiring charter schools to pay fees to the authorizing board gives that board motivation to authorize more charters regardless of whether it is in the best interests of the public

Here is more information from the DPI website:

Map: How will the proposed changes in charter school funding affect different districts?

DPI Testimony to Senate Committee on Education

Spreadsheet: Impact of Charter School Changes by School, Senate, and Assembly District

Please Register Against SB 22!

Please come to the Senate Education Committee Hearing (Room 411 South, State Capitol) TODAY, March 23rd and register AGAINST SB 22.  There are three ways you can participate today:

1. You can register to speak against the bill
2. You can register against the bill but do not have to speak 
3. You can  prepare written testimony to be submitted to the Education Committee


Each testimony is limited to three minutes.