Governor Jim Doyle says a special session of the legislature may be needed, to complete work on education reforms. Doyle says he’s been talking with legislative leaders, regarding a package of K-through-12 reforms he’d like to see on the fast track. “I know they’re going to give it everything they can to get it done in the normal time,” says Doyle. “But if not, we still have plenty of time to have a special session, if we need to come in some time in November to get some of it done.”

In fact, the Senate Education Committee moved quickly Thursday to approve several of the education reform measures Doyle has been calling for, including a bill which would allow standardized test scores to be used to evaluate teacher performance. Doyle says most of his recommendations enjoy wide support among lawmakers, but one crucial piece may require a special session. “We hope that the Milwaukee governance issue can be taken up, but that’s one that may require us to come back.”

Doyle has said that his package of reforms – and particularly mayoral control of Milwaukee Public Schools – are part of an effort to help the state claim up to $5 billion dollars in federal “Race to the Top” education funding.

AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (:55 MP3)

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