The News: Today at the Wisconsin State Capitol, Assembly Republicans unveiled a comprehensive package of education bills aimed at addressing critical challenges in our classrooms and expanding opportunities for families to choose the best educational path for their children. WILL supports these legislative efforts, and our Research Director Will Flanders joined the press conference to speak in support of the proposals.
The Quote: WILL Research Director, Will Flanders, stated, “At a time when states like Alabama, Mississippi, and West Virginia are innovating in education, Wisconsin is lagging behind. This package offers a new direction—addressing falling math scores, empowering parents, and giving teachers more control in the classroom.”
Math Numeracy Reforms: Wisconsin is facing a math crisis. National and international assessments show steep declines in performance, and Wisconsin’s own scores have slipped since the pandemic—dropping more than 12 points on PISA since 2018 and leaving 83% of students in districts still behind pre-pandemic benchmarks. Milwaukee students are falling very far behind, with nearly 70% of 4th graders scoring below basic on NAEP.
This numeracy reform builds on Wisconsin’s early literacy reforms and follows the lead of at least seven other states that have enacted evidence-based numeracy laws. Alabama, for example, was the only state in the nation to see post-pandemic gains in 4th-grade math on NAEP after adopting such reforms. The goal: get Wisconsin kids counting again, keep our workforce competitive, and ensure every student has the math foundation needed for success in school, work, and life.
School Choice Tax Credit Scholarship Opt-In: This proposal creates a permanent, privately funded K-12 scholarship program backed by a 100% federal tax credit. At no cost to Wisconsin taxpayers, scholarships can be used across all types of schooling—public, private, charter, or homeschool—for tuition, tutoring, transportation, internet access, therapies, or supplemental courses. Eligibility extends to middle-class families up to 300% of area median income, expanding access beyond current state programs. Opting in keeps Wisconsin philanthropy dollars in state, supports rural and underserved students with new options, and ensures public school families benefit too. If Wisconsin declines, those dollars and opportunities flow to other states.
Teachers’ Bill of Rights: A lack of discipline in schools is one of the leading causes of teachers leaving the profession. Legislative efforts to ensure classrooms are safe for teachers and students alike will help restore order, keep great educators in the classroom, and create an environment where real learning can take place.
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