We
must all be 'gardeners of new growth'
Wisconsin's
educators must be among the "gardeners of new growth and new designs"
to solve the social and economic problems facing education, WEAC Executive
Director Michael A. Butera told delegates to the 2003 WEAC Representative
Assembly.
Building economic growth in this state is essential,
he said, because "without significant new revenues to build a (school)
funding proposal, we have little more than redistribution of already insufficient
funds."
A new influx of available resources is needed to fully
address issues such as adequate school funding and fair compensation for
teachers and education support professionals so we can maintain great
schools.
For example, Butera said, if Wisconsin per-capita income
rose only to the national average, it would generate $270 million in additional
tax revenue. If average wages reached the national average, our current
tax system would produce $550 million more in new revenue. Together, these
forces would generate $820 million in new revenues for Wisconsin.
"This rather simple example clearly demonstrates why raising income
levels for Wisconsin citizens is in our interests," he said. "$820
million would go a very long way in solving the budget problems the state
now faces."
Teacher and education support professional compensation in Wisconsin
lags as well, he said. Since the imposition of the Qualified Economic
Offer law in 1993, teacher average pay in Wisconsin dropped from 15th
to 22nd in the nation – from 103% to 95% of teacher average pay nationally.
"The declining economic status of Wisconsin teachers threatens the
long-term quality of education in our state. Unless we sustain the ability
to attract and retain qualified teachers, the first-rate education we
offer today's students will become a thing of the past," Butera said.
Statistics demonstrate that teachers are dramatically underpaid:
- As a workforce, teachers are highly educated compared to the general
public. Fifteen percent of Wisconsin's working population holds a bachelor's
degree, compared to nearly 100% of teachers. Only 7% of the state's
workforce holds a graduate degree, compared to 52% of teachers.
- The average full-time worker nationally with a bachelor's degree over
the age 25 earned $54,449 in 1999 – $13,296 more than the Wisconsin
teacher average.
- With a master's degree and 10 years' service, the Wisconsin teacher
average pay was $22,362 less than the average nationwide full-time worker
wage in the same year.
- In Wisconsin, teachers with a master's degree earned $17,250 less
than other Wisconsin workers with the same degree.
"Ending the wage stagnation caused by the QEO is
a fundamental first step in restoring economic dignity equal to the value
of the work we perform for Wisconsin's citizens," Butera said.
He urged delegates to:
- Prepare and send letters to newspaper editors.
- Recruit their local affiliate colleagues to attend the June 10 or
June 19 Lobby Days at the Capitol.
- E-mail stories to WEAC Press Secretary Barb Brady at bradyb@weac.org,
telling their stories about the QEO and its impact on them, their families,
and their schools.
- Collect signatures on a "Repeal the QEO" petition.
- Help members use the OnWEAC Cyberlobby to contact their legislators.
The Cyberlobby is in the Members Only
section of OnWEAC.
In other comments, Butera said:
- The public's attitudes toward public schools in Wisconsin are improving
as a result of WEAC's Great Schools campaign. In 1998, 29% of the public
thought that public schools had the best educated teachers. By the end
of 2002, that rose to 49%. In 1998, 23% thought public schools would
do a better job teaching students the basics of reading, writing and
math. At the end of 2002, that number rose to 37%, with the remaining
choosing either private school, other, or don't know. Great Schools
is continuing to educate the public on the successes and value of maintaining
quality public schools. "The more they know about the good work
we do, the more we move them on our political issues," he said.
- Through school vouchers and other privatization schemes, Milwaukee
Public Schools have become "like a laboratory experiment for our
most ardent critics." Profiteers have slowly but consistently drawn
away from MPS tens of millions of dollars "without ever having
to stand for any of the standards and accountability they demand of
our Milwaukee brothers and sisters," Butera said. "We must
find the will and the resources to challenge the Milwaukee privateers
before they become the Wisconsin privateers."
Resource page on the 2003 WEAC Representative Assembly
Posted May 5, 2003
