Education in Wisconsin could see major reforms if a proposal from Gov. Jim Doyle suggesting longer school days and other initiatives makes it to the state Legislature.
During a press conference at Lowell Elementary School Monday, Doyle announced the reform plan and said he hopes the changes will improve Wisconsin's chances of receiving federal Race to the Top dollars.
""This fall, we are going to take education in Wisconsin to a new level. We are going to take real action to help students achieve and make Wisconsin's approach the best there is,"" Doyle said in a statement.
According to a statement, Doyle's education plan includes increasing testing standards, extending the time of instruction by lengthening school days and years, and creating a mayor-appointed superintendent for the Milwaukee Public School district.
The plan also tracks student and teacher performance and allows teachers to receive incentives for improved student learning.
The new education reform plan addressed mayoral takeover of the MPS district.
State Rep. Annette Polly Williams, D-Milwaukee, chair of the Assembly committee on education reform, said she is against the mayoral takeover on MPS.
""All of Wisconsin will benefit with the Race to the Top money, but the only district that has to make the sacrifices is Milwaukee,"" she said.
State Rep. Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee, vice chair of the Assembly committee on education reform, said the issue is ""very controversial,"" but said she wanted to stress that the mayoral takeover was not a part of the criteria for the Race to the Top money.
