AFP-WI: Evers Education Budget Doesn’t Prioritize Student Success

Feb 28, 2019 by AFP

MADISON, Wis. – Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin (AFP-WI) issued the following statement in advance of Gov. Tony Evers’ budget reveal, which will reportedly restrict educational freedom by freezing enrollment in Wisconsin’s educational opportunity programs and curbing the expansion of independent public charter schools. This proposal would likely prevent some of the highest performing schools in Wisconsin from expanding and make it harder for the state’s neediest students to access high-quality educational alternatives. In the end, this proposal will hurt students trapped in low performing traditional public schools the most.

AFP-WI believes that a quality education can happen in any school model – including public or private schools, charter or homeschools, virtual schools, and ways yet to be imagined, regardless of a child’s ZIP code. AFP-WI is committed to bringing all sides together to find solutions that best meet the needs of our state’s students and reject this dangerous proposal from the administration that divides our community.

AFP-WI State Director Eric Bott issued the following statement:

“Partisanship and a commitment to the status quo have impeded our ability to unite and realize true change for Wisconsin’s students, teachers and families. As we begin this new legislature and kick off the education debate in earnest, we – families, teachers, lawmakers, all Wisconsinites – should seize this extraordinary opportunity to work together to provide an education that empowers teachers and helps every kid find fulfillment and success.

“This budget runs antithetical to the purpose of education, which is to help every kid discover, sharpen, and apply their unique abilities so that they can better shape our future. By restricting options, this budget widens the gap between our children and the schooling options tailormade for them and their unique needs and circumstances. We urge the governor to join in the conversation to find ways to eliminate, not erect, barriers so every student can exercise their right to an individualized and quality education.

“Parents want more educational options for their children, yet this budget doesn’t reflect that. The Governor’s budget is driven by politics, when it should instead be driven by the needs and wants of Wisconsin’s parents and their kids.”

For further information or an interview, reach Lorenz Isidro at LIsidro@afphq.org or (703) 887-7724.

Through broad-based grassroots outreach, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is driving long-term solutions to the country’s biggest problems. AFP activists engage friends and neighbors on key issues and encourage them to take an active role in building a culture of mutual benefit, where people succeed by helping one another. AFP recruits and unites Wisconsinites behind a common goal of advancing policies that will help people improve their lives. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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