Issue Position: Improving Education for all of Milwaukee's Children

Issue Position

Milwaukee's education crisis is our city's primary moral and economic challenge.

Our children's education needs are not being met. The Milwaukee Public School system's four-year graduation rate is significantly lower than the statewide graduation rate -- only 60.5%, compared to the statewide rate of 88%. Many students who do graduate from our schools aren't prepared for college or a career.

Moreover, the other two sectors of publicly-funded education in our city -- Milwaukee Public Charter Schools (Charter) and the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) -- have not been held accountable to the public. This is unacceptable. Every school taking public monies should be transparent as to their practices and outcomes.

This crisis is personal to me. As a former Milwaukee County prosecutor and now an attorney in private practice, I've seen firsthand the devastating effects of an under-educated child. Children who fall through the cracks of our education system are eight times more likely to end up in jail or prison than they are to enter the workforce as happy and productive individuals.

I've counseled and advocated for too many men and women who haven't had adequate education opportunities. For too long, the political establishment has talked about improving Milwaukee's education system, without results. I cannot support the failing status quo.

I will confront the status quo head on and pursue practical education policies and solutions that help our children.

This year I've toured 15 schools in Milwaukee, and met with hundreds of parents, educators, and school leaders. I've listened to members of the community share their experiences and views on how we can create a world-class education system in Milwaukee.

We must focus on kids and quality above all else. Nothing matters more than increasing the number of great schools in our city.

To move beyond political fighting, and toward better serving Milwaukee's children, I will push State government to:

Identify our city's great schools and help them serve more children.

Properly fund all of Milwaukee's schools so that they can provide an excellent, well-rounded education that prepares each student for life success.

Enforce accountability and transparency and hold every publicly-funded school, including choice and charter schools, to the same rigorous education standards.

Perfect the state report card to allow "apples-to-apples" comparisons between schools in all sectors.

Reject statewide expansion of the school choice program.

This approach will require significant legislative change. It will require leaders who aren't afraid to face tough challenges, and who have the skills to effectively negotiate on behalf of their constituents' interests.

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