SAVE Commission's findings - La Follette School of Public Affairs ...

areas, including vendors competing on a
level playing field with public employees.
5. Technology is
aggressively
tapped. Technology
is revolutionizing
learning in
form and format,
and Wisconsin
must not take a
back seat to
anyone. Learning content can be
developed locally. The state must
provide a convenient, cost effective
distribution system, ensure training
(especially of teachers) and promote
Wisconsin-relevant content (see Goals
#12 and #14).
6. Learning happens any time, any place,
in many ways. Learning, especially
using interactive technology, should be
permitted to take place anywhere,
anytime. Employers, teachers, entrepreneurs,
private schools, home schools,
cooperatives, charter schools and places
yet to be invented all will contribute to
learning. The state promotes this
diversity and creativity as part of the
new Wisconsin Idea (see Goal #3).
7. The state is a helping hand. The state
educational
function should
shift from controlling
K-12
formal education
to leading the
policy crusade for
lifelong learning
as it can be
delivered by
many providers in many places through
new, exciting technological means. The
state will still need to assess and evaluate,
but focus on results, not paperwork
and not with a heavy fist, but a guiding
hand.
8. The state education governance system
is seamless. The state’s educational
structure, from pre-school to higher
“There are too many local units
of government, including
school districts.”
Mark Rogacki, Wisconsin Counties Association
“I’d like to see the vocational
school system develop more job
training for economically
disadvantaged people.”
Anthony Vang, Wausau
education, must evolve into a seamless
system. That concept may seem unobtainable
given the pride and protectiveness
of existing
institutions, but it
must happen. There
must be a new
oversight system that
meets the 21st
Century definition of
education and detaches,
once and for
all, from a model that traces its roots to
the days of King Arthur.
A SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION
The first step into educational leadership
for the future will come with creation of a Secretary
and Department for Education that have
a vision beyond existing interests and institutions.
The Governor will appoint the Secretary,
in partnership with a citizen board, confirmed
by the Senate.
The Secretary will lead an agency committed
to and held accountable for educational
excellence. The position will have a role quite
different from the current Superintendent of
Public Instruction. The current office focuses
on control of formal K-12 education. The Secretary
will see education as something everyone
should be involved in, not just certified
public educators, administrators
and teachers.
This new leader
for education will see
education as beginning
before the classroom,
in the home and at day
care and preschool.
The state will be a
helper and advocate for
early childhood education, using tools such as
the Public Information Utility (see Goal #12).
The Secretary also will be a strong advocate for
the Village Partnership concept, the model for
decentralized and parental ownership in school
site education now being tested in the state.
Finally, the Secretary will champion
school-to-work transition programs and be a
partner with business, private teachers and
Actions
10.1
Create a Department
for Education, headed
by a cabinet secretary.
10.2
Prepare educational
boards for greater
effectiveness and
accountability.
10.3
Study administrative
efficiencies.
10.4
Consider county or
multi-county educational
administration
units.
10.5
Direct the state CESA
system to achieve
greater local
cooperation between
K-12 districts and
Technical Colleges.
Jill Reiche, Wausau
“We need to take a look
at the schools and make
kids our priority.”
Linda McMullin, La
Crosse
“All school board
members should take a
two-day workshop on
their role and
responsibilities.”
CITIZEN • COMMUNITY • GOVERNMENT — WISCONSIN: THE 21 ST CENTURY 31