You’ve undoubtedly read about the Madison Metropolitan School District’s recent initiative to close the racial and socioeconomic achievement gap that’s been plaguing the city for decades. This sudden shift in collective focus is likely the result of the Urban League of Madison’s recent Madison Prep charter school proposal. If not, it’s important to note that the proposal would open two schools to serve a portion of youth from some of city’s most under-served communities. They would borrow from formulas being used by highly effective charter schools across the country to get at-risk youth achieving at levels consistent with their more fortunate counterparts. But despite it being sound, well-funded and supported by evidence, the plan was ultimately voted down by the Madison school board in favor of the unchanging system that guarantees nothing but persistent failure.

The only silver lining to emerge from the school district’s disappointing decision is that the community has a renewed sense of urgency around the issues of education inequality in Madison.  

The scope of these issues, I might add, is nothing short of pandemic. Madison, a city often described as “progressive” and “forward-thinking,” can lay claim to one of the widest achievement gaps in the nation. Every year, hundreds of low-income and minority students in Madison slip through the cracks of a broken system and either drop out or fail to graduate. The result is a growing demographic of citizens that are less likely to find employment, less able able to provide for themselves and their families, and more statistically likely to end up in the only system that’s less fiscally-efficient than our schools: the prison system.  

It is time that we as students speak out in favor of the children that hope to one day follow our paths to college and beyond. As a big part of the Madison community, it’s critical that we are active and involved in advocating for the necessary changes so long overdue in our otherwise great city. Simply put, we cannot continue to fail so much of our youth.

As future parents, professionals and concerned citizens we must place a fundamentally strong and fair educational system atop our list of priorities. We’re fortunate because we already have an education. We’re already well on our way to success and happiness.

We all worked hard to get it, yes; but most of us were brought up through a system that was largely bent in our favor. And as recent products of that system, we have a unique perspective and qualified voice that can and will be heard. If this is a message that resonates with you, then Students For Education Reform needs your help.  

SFER provides a vehicle by which all students can learn about the issues of educational inequality and become equipped to be real advocates for change. So please consider joining our chapter and helping us fight for real reform in our community and beyond. All are welcome, and certainly all are needed.

Eric Hill ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in community and nonprofit leadership.  He is president of Students For Education Reform – University of Wisconsin Chapter.