Wisconsin parents have already been on the offense against Scott Walker's national ed-policy debut. Here's a great example:
http://host.madison.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_f6fe3e2c-a6a0-5c69-ad37-cf346e6e4939.html#ixzz1YhknsXGP
And here's further proof -- besides our shrinking public school districts and school budgets -- that Walker is devastating public education. http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3569
These charts from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities offer all the figures you need to see clearly that Wisconsin, one of the nation's top performers on ACT tests, now is the nation's biggest loser when it comes to per-dollar, per-pupil funding of public education. Walker's "bi-partisan collaborations" are that aggressive. These charts were released weeks ago, but they continue to be a converstation-starter and are the single best illustration of what's happening to what was once one of the best public-education systems in the U.S.
We can't stop Walker from access to a national audience this afternoon, but we can continue to tell the truth about what his policies are doing to our children, our schools and our teachers and other public workers.
Here's how:
1. Listen to a few moments of the forum, pick out a soundbyte or two, and take time out to write a letter to your local paper talking about how Walker's education policies are affecting the schools and students near you. I'll talk about how only three percent of Wisconsin school districts are actually benefitting from his tools. That's a fact: three percent.
2. "Like" Education Nation on Facebook, and live-comment on the Ed nation wall during the Forum.
3. Write a letter to your legislator, Republican or Democrat. Tell them the "spin" about the state education budget and the reality in your local school do not match up. Ask them how long you have to wait to see public-education funding become a real priority, backed by real legislation. Who among our legislators is ready to be the leader that all Wisconsin kids need - regardless of their family-income level, zip code or WKCE score?
4. Check out this counter-event, with real education experts, on Tuesday:
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=102
5. Keep watching, keep reading. Don't let the disinformation and defunding campaigns continue.
Forward,
Angela and Sachin - two Wisconsin parents who love their public schools
