Issue Position: Education and "Back to the Basics"

Issue Position

If we were to compare Wisconsin's K-12 curriculum in 1970 to the curriculum of today, what would we find? Beneath a shiny coating of technology, the 3R's remain what they've always been: reading, "riting, "rithmetic. We all want the best for our kids -- but getting "the best" doesn't mean reform after reform after reform. It simply means getting back to the basics.

Get the federal government out of education.

The Department of Education was established in 1979 at the cabinet level. At the time, some argued that the department was unnecessary and perhaps even illegal -- that it was a bureaucratic intrusion into local affairs. No Child Left Behind and Common Core are both policies that minimized local control, added excessive layers of bureaucracy, and stirred hostilities. Millions of dollars could be saved by simply cutting out the layers of governmental requirements.

Empower teachers to "teach."

Those of us who know teachers know that they work hard, they are paid little, and they often buy school supplies with their own money. But teachers were once energized by their subject area and afforded a level of professionalism. But now, the failure of the student is defined as the failure of the teacher. Meanwhile the teacher's time is hijacked to administer tests, attend meetings, and manage student behavior. Teachers should be paid more, they should be valued as professionals, and they should be allowed the time and autonomy to teach.

Value the high school diploma.

High school success has become narrowly defined as college prep. But the cost of college is out of reach for many, and getting higher all the time. The steady drumbeat of "college, college, college" means that too many kids apply, are accepted, and then attend college when they can't afford it, don't want to, and maybe don't even need to. Community colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeships are often overlooked even though they often lead more directly to employment.

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