Wisconsin readies its “Race to the Top” application 
Mayoral takeover of Milwaukee Schools a potentially controversial component 
By Joe Quick, Legislative Liaison

State Superintendent Tony Evers was blunt, “I support mayoral governance in Milwaukee.” In one of the more controversial components of Wisconsin’s “Race to the Top” application, changing the governance structure of the Milwaukee Public Schools was described by Evers as just one part of the state’s application, but one requiring legislative statutory changes.

State applications are due in December to compete for about $4 billion nationally to bring about significant education reform. No more than 15 states are expected to receive grants. Awards are based on student enrollment, so states such as Texas or California would be awarded more than Wisconsin. If the state’s application is successful, at least 50% of the state award will go to local school districts

In his presentation to a joint informational hearing before both houses’ education committees, Evers said, “I believe (Wisconsin is) well-positioned to compete for these funds, but I don’t believe we’re where we need to be for reforming” K-12 education. All state applications require attention to a comprehensive approach to four key education reform areas: standards and assessment, improving data collection/use, improving teacher effectiveness, and support for struggling schools.

Applications must also emphasize science, technology, engineering and math; expansion/adaptation of statewide longitudinal data systems; and school level conditions for reform/innovation.

Evers acknowledged that linking teacher evaluations with student test data is “a thorny issue” and added, “There seems to be a real interest in firing teachers or principals and that the school will improve – that’s simplistic and I worry about that type of rhetoric.” U.S. Department of Education Sectretary Arne Duncan said it was “ridiculous” that a state would prevent the use of test data for teacher evaluation. Currently, Wisconsin law prevents this, and state legislators must make this statutory change.

Evers identified other legislative reform changes for Wisconsin including, expanded authority for the state superintendent to intervene directly to improve schools, higher standards for charter schools, and a state requirement for three years of math/science for high school graduation.

Members of the state legislative Milwaukee delegation are split on the mayoral takeover issue, with a typical argument being that we can’t make change for change sake, but there must be evidence that a mayoral takeover will bring improvement. The record is mixed, but Duncan was placed in charge of the Chicago public schools in 2001, as part of a mayoral takeover.

Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) opined, “Sometimes I worry this is a ‘race for the money,’ not a Race to the Top.” The state will receive more federal clarifying guidance on the application in October, with a December application deadline. Awards will be announced in March 2010.  A second grant opportunity will be available in June 2010, with awards given in September 2010.