The Wisconsin State Assembly has passed six education-focused bills, each aimed at reshaping the way schools operate, from curriculum standards to financial priorities. The package of legislation, championed by Republican lawmakers, focuses on issues such as student standards, civics and cursive mandates, curriculum transparency, and the role of cell phones in the classroom.
The Wisconsin State Assembly is set to pass six education bills that will impact schools across the state.
The proposed legislation includes:
📚 AB-001: Changes to educational assessments and school accountability reports.
📵 AB-002: Requires school boards to prohibit wireless device use during instructional time.
✍️ AB-003: Mandates cursive writing instruction in elementary grades.
🇺🇸 AB-004: Mandates civics education requirements in elementary and high school.
🔍 AB-005: Mandates transparency by requiring public school boards to make textbooks and curricula available for public inspection.
💰 AB-006: Mandates 70% of school spending to direct classroom support
AB-001: Educational Assessment Program
Authored by Representative Robert Wittke, AB-001 proposes changes to the state’s educational assessment program and the school accountability report. The bill mandates that the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) align assessment cut scores with the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) standards, rather than the existing state standards. This shift aims to provide a more uniform benchmark for evaluating student performance. However, the DPI has expressed opposition, stating that this change undermines educators’ expertise and local control over setting appropriate standards for Wisconsin students. Current DPI Superintendent, Jill Underly, lowered the standards for schools in Wisconsin earlier this year, this bill seeks to reverse her changes.
AB-002: Wireless Devices
Introduced by Representative Joel Kitchens, AB-002 requires school boards to implement policies prohibiting the use of wireless communication devices, such as cell phones and tablets, during instructional time. Exceptions are made for emergencies, health-related situations, individualized education programs, or when a teacher authorizes device use for educational purposes. The Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), the teacher union, has noted that while many districts already have similar policies, this bill would standardize the approach statewide. Many local officials have asked for state guidance on cell phone use.
AB-003: Cursive Writing
Sponsored by Representative Paul Melotik, AB-003 seeks to mandate cursive writing into the state model English Language Arts standards and mandates its instruction in elementary grades. Proponents argue that learning cursive enhances fine motor skills and literacy. Currently, 24 states have integrated cursive writing into their curricula. However, organizations representing school boards, superintendents, and private schools have registered opposition, suggesting that curriculum decisions should remain at the local level, or at a school level.
AB-004: Civics Instruction
Authored by Representative Amanda Nedweski, AB-004 mandates civics instruction in both elementary and high school grades as a requirement for graduation. This is in addition to the existing mandate for students to pass the U.S. Citizenship test. Supporters, including the Center for Civic Education, emphasize the importance of comprehensive civics education in fostering informed citizenship. They acknowledge potential costs associated with additional staff time and professional development but argue that the benefits outweigh these challenges. Public, and private schools opposes the bill and cite another unfunded mandate by state authorities and an ever encroachment of the state into local education.
AB-005: School Materials Inspection
Introduced by Representative Barbara Dittrich, AB-005 requires school boards to make textbooks, curricula, and instructional materials available for inspection by district residents within 14 days of a request. Additionally, school boards must post a list of adopted textbooks on their websites. While proponents claim this promotes transparency, the DPI and educational organizations argue that it may sow distrust and imply that materials are currently inaccessible, despite existing open records laws.
AB-006: School Spending
Sponsored by Representative Benjamin Franklin, AB-006 mandates that school boards allocate at least 70% of their operating expenditures to direct classroom expenses and annual pay increases for school administrators. The bill’s author asserts that this reallocation of resources addresses issues in public schools, noting that while the state average is 73%, some districts fall short. The Department of Instruction opposes the bill, citing vague definitions and existing state limitations on district spending through revenue caps, suggesting that it undermines local school boards’ authority.
As these bills move to the Wisconsin State Senate for consideration, they have sparked debates among educators, policymakers, and the public regarding the balance between state mandates and local control in education.
