Governor Jim Doyle is seeking $254-million from the Race to the Top fund. To be eligible for the money, Doyle says all districts must commit to adopt higher standards of education and be part of the statewide data system.
And, Doyle says, the six biggest school districts — Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Racine, Kenosha and Beloit — must offer certain measures to address the achievement gap, including four-year old kindergarten, smaller class rooms, and teacher mentoring.
An education reform bill calling for the Milwaukee Mayor to take control of the city’s school district has not passed through the state legislature, and therefore is not mentioned in this application being submitted to the federal government.
“There’s no doubt that weakens our application,” Doyle says.
Another bill that would give the state superintendent more authority to fix low-performing schools also needs legislative approval.
Doyle admits the application is weaker without those measures. Regardless, he still believes Wisconsin can compete with other states for a portion of the $4-billion Race to the Top funds.
The application is due January 19th.
Jackie Johnson 1:36
