In 20 years, we will say that Gov. Scott Walker saved education. Unfortunately, this is not what people say now. Led by Democrats who have always held the mantle on education issues, Walker is viewed as a boogeyman who curbed the “rights” of teachers. In reality, collective bargaining has led to a stagnation of true innovation in Wisconsin schools. What’s more, he saved education through reforms that were fiscally responsible and student-centered. However, this is not the narrative that we have heard. Democrats say that Walker’s reforms hurt teachers, even though his reforms ensured that NO teacher would have to be laid off in Wisconsin. In addition to this, under Walker, funding for education has increased by nearly $380 million in the 2013-2015 biennial budget, which would mean an additional $300 of funding per student.
Walker is working hard to fix education, and, as he sees it “Every child — regardless of their zip code — should have access to a great education; it is a moral imperative.” Unfortunately, disparities in schools will always exist. However, rather than throwing up his hands, Walker is moving students past the webbed bureaucracy of unions, teachers and administration. Walker has given students and parents the choice to benefit themselves by allowing a student to move from a failing school to one of higher quality. Previously, this process was nearly impossible, and students would be doomed to the failing schools that they have been mandated to attend. To facilitate this positive change in the student’s life, Walker has offered funding for students that choose to move outside of their school district. In 2014-2015, this includes a voucher system that will pay up to $7,856 toward a high school student’s education in another school. Clearly, this will make it easier for students to attend a school of higher quality and will improve that child’s opportunities in the future.
Despite what his opposition might claim, this does not mean Walker is going to leave failing schools in the dust. While school choice does allow students to take their funds elsewhere, Walker still implemented a plan to increase funding for those schools that need it most. In the 2013-2015 biennial budget, he developed a plan that offers incentives to struggling schools that improve their performance. First and foremost, this plan provides an extra $10 million to failing or struggling schools. Without a doubt, this will help those schools that need it most, but Walker’s plan does not end there. If a school can demonstrate that it is improving, they could receive a portion of the $30 million that Walker has allocated to schools that have performed better than expected. Finally, in an effort to create the best schools in the nation, Walker has increased funding to schools that continually perform at a high level by $25 million. This approach to education pushes schools to perform at the highest possible level.
Even though some may view the term of Walker as an apocalypse for education, his innovative approach to education will allow students the best chance to succeed.
