Legislature Resumes Action

As expected, the state Legislature will return to work later this month (April 1998) to take up issues left over from the session that concluded last month.

The governor has called a special session to deal with several issues, including his Milwaukee Public Schools proposals.

The plan creates a governing commission that will take over operation of the district if it fails to meet specific education requirements. Those requirements set minimum levels for graduation rates, attendance rates, dropout rates and third grade reading performance.

The Senate and Assembly education committees will hold a hearing on the proposals April 21, 3-7 p.m., at the Milwaukee School of Languages.

The latest issue of the MTEA Sharpener has more information.

The Legislature will be in special and extraordinary session the week of April 20. The Legislature has called itself into extraordinary session to deal with bills left over from the just-ended session. Those issues include the budget adjustment bill which contains several education proposals, including incentives for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, a modification to the QEO law, tax breaks for education costs, and a peer mentoring program.

The Legislature may also revive WEAC’s school safety and discipline proposal, a bill creating a Professional Standards Council, and a truancy abatement bill.

Posted April 17, 1998