* The choice students come from poor, often single-parent households. Similar to MPS parents, approximately 60 percent are receiving AFDC or public assistance. The parents also expressed considerable dissatisfaction with prior public schools, and based on prior test scores, there is clear evidence that their children were not doing well in those schools (both in relative and absolute terms).
* Parents reported high satisfaction with information and assistance received from choice schools and the Department of Public Instruction.
* Staff turnover was up slightly in 1994-95, from 18 percent to 24 percent. Four of 12 schools had new principals or head administrators.
* Teaching staff in Milwaukee choice schools are generally positive about the small class sizes, the autonomy in the classroom, the usually congenial atmosphere in the schools, and the administrative support they received in disciplinary matters. They expressed dissatisfaction with low pay and benefits. Sixty-four percent of the teachers were Wisconsin certified.
* Choice schools received an estimated $3,209 per pupil in 1994-95. When the choice program began in 1990, four of the original seven schools were in serious financial difficulty. With the exception of one school which closed, all are in better financial condition today, and their facilities have improved. A new facility for one of the schools opened in 1993.
* The recommendations in the report are similar to those in the first-, second-, and -third year reports and highlight needed changes in governance, financial reporting, program accountability, information and selection procedures, transportation, and the exclusion of children with exceptional education needs, among others. Most of the recommendations were included in both the governor's budget and the budget of the Department of Public Instruction in 1993 but were not acted upon by the Legislature.
I believe this report provides continuing evidence that while the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program provides an option for low-income parents who have been dissatisfied with the educational alternatives available for their children, it has not provided the dramatic academic improvements in students achievement that would label it a success. The experiment should continue only on a limited basis, but we must realize that it does not deal directly or substantially with the challenges the Milwaukee Public Schools face.
The Department of Public Instruction's biennial budget included a request to reallocate department funds to support recommendations from the Urban Initiative Task Force. Those recommendations, while offered to schools throughout the state with a high incidence of poverty, are targeted to assist 110 schools in Milwaukee. The Urban Initiative recommendations are founded on research that demonstrates improved academic achievement and call for an achievement guarantee contract that includes local solutions to address:
* smaller class sizes in the elementary grades and in academic subjects in the middle school so teachers and students can form more caring relationships;
* a rigorous curriculum that respects diversity;
* schools as centers for coordinated health, recreational, and social service programs; and
* a system of training and accountability for school staff members.
For additional information about Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, please contact Susan Freeze at (608) 266-1647.
Sincerely,
john t. Benson
State Superintendent, DPI
Referred to committee on Urban Education.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Department of Public Instruction
Madison
January 20, 1995
To the Honorable the Legislature:
Section 9145. Non-statutory provisions; vocational, technical and adult education.
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(2) CERTIFICATION OF VOCATIONAL, TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION TEACHERS. By January 1, 1995, the state superintendent of public instruction shall submit a report to the governor, and to the legislature in the manner provided under section
13.172(2) of the statutes. The report shall include an evaluation of the effectiveness of the grants under section
115.366(1)(a)2 of the statutes, as created by this act, in certifying vocational, technical and adult education teachers.
Enclosed is a copy of this report for distribution. If you have questions, please contact Dean Gagnon, Department of Public Instruction, at 267-9244.
Sincerely,
john t. benson
State Superintendent, DPI
Referred to committee on Education.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Department of Public Instruction
Madison
January 20, 1995
To the Honorable the Legislature:
(2t) Management Restructuring Program Study. The state superintendent of public instruction shall evaluate the management restructuring grant program under section
118.013 of the statutes, as affected by this act. By January 1, 1995, the state superintendent shall report his or her findings and recommendations to the governor, and to the legislature in the manner provided under section
13.172(2) of the statutes.
Enclosed is a copy of the required report for distribution. If you have questions, please contact Peter Burke, Department of Public Instruction, at 266-0986.
Sincerely,
john t. benson
State Superintendent, DPI
Referred to committee on Education.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources
Madison
January 23, 1995
To the Honorable the Legislature:
Enclosed is a study required in Section
9142(8) of
1993 Wisconsin Act 16. The section requires the Department of Natural Resources to submit recommendations regarding the appropriate allocation of support program funding within the conservation and environmental funds. The study is to be transmitted to you per section
13.172(2) of the statutes, which permits you to distribute the study to the Legislature. As required, the study is also being transmitted to the Governor.
If you have any questions about this transmittal, please contact Joy Stewart in DNR's Bureau of Management and Budget at 266-2159.
Sincerely,
george E. meyer
Secretary, DNR
Referred to committee on Natural Resources.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
State Historical Society of Wisconsin
Madison
January 30, 1995
To the Honorable the Assembly:
Please find enclosed a status report on submerged cultural resources management activities in Wisconsin for the period January 1993 through December 1994. This report is supplied to your office in compliance with Wisconsin statutes 44.47, for distribution to the appropriate standing committees.
If I can be of any other assistance, please do not hesitate to call me 608/264-6493.
Sincerely,
david j. cooper
State Underwater Archeologist
Referred to committee on Natural Resources.
