WEAC Vice President Johnson Testifies in Favor of 'At-Risk' Legislation
Testimony in favor of 1999 SB 241 and SB 242
By Stan Johnson,
WEAC Vice President
Senate Education Committee
Wednesday, January 26, 2000
Thank you, chairperson Grobschmidt and members of the Senate Education
Committee for this opportunity to speak in favor of 1999 SB
241 and 1999 SB 242. My name is Stan Johnson
and I am vice president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council.
I was a public member of the Special Committee on the Children at Risk
Program.
Let me begin by commending senators Rosenzweig and Jauch as well as
the Assembly representatives and public members of the study committee
for their efforts to bring SB 241 and 242 forward. We completed our
study assignment by using a fair process that respected each committee
member’s opinions shared in an open and honest manner. The unanimous
votes by committee members in support of each bill are a reflection
of the consensus approach taken at each of the five committee meetings.
The two bills before you today are a combination of ideas that focus
on the state’s efforts to serve students at risk of not graduating
from high school. Wisconsin educators are proud of the fact that we
have one of the best school systems in the country. Recent DPI school
performance reports show a steady decline in dropout rates. In 1997-98,
the dropout rate was 2.5%. The study committee concluded that the at-risk
program in Wisconsin should be maintained as part of our efforts to
continue the trend of reduced dropout rates.
SB 241 acknowledges the rigor of academic accountability called for
in the new high school graduation exams and establishes new qualification
requirements for at-risk programs. The bill focuses resources on smaller
programs in alternative public school settings that have a proven track
record of helping to stop kids from dropping out of school. Finally,
SB 241 requires a full Audit Bureau review by 2005. This will determine
the extent to which at-risk programs meet the specified objectives outlined
in the bill.
At several of the public hearings held by the study committee, education
experts testified about the importance of early learning opportunities
for at-risk youth. The committee considered this advice when it approved
the provisions of SB 242. This bill establishes a planning grant program
for pupils retained in the 4th grade. The study committee
thought it was important for the state to focus on early intervention
efforts. These efforts must be aimed at redirecting young at-risk students
on a path toward graduation. Even though the recent state budget modified
the "high stakes" nature of the 4th and 8th grade
exams, I still believe the $300,000 appropriation in SB 242 is a wise
investment in our state’s future.
As an organization of educators, WEAC and the WFT are always concerned
about those students who prematurely end their school experience. We
must do all we can to ensure that every kid has a great school that
provides the best learning environment possible. WEAC and the WFT see
1999 SB 241 and 1999 SB 242 as positive steps toward providing solid
educational opportunities for students at risk of not graduating from
high school. Thank you again chairperson Grobschmidt and members of
the Senate Education Committee for this opportunity to speak today.
Posted January 28, 2000