Please join Marquette University Law School and the Marquette University College of Education for
Pivotal Points: A Forum on Key Wisconsin Education Issues as Big Decisions Approach
Monday, May 11, 2015
Eckstein Hall
This half-day conference will examine three of the central issues affecting kindergarten through twelfth-grade education in Wisconsin. Specifically, it will bring together experts and key figures in the shaping and understanding the debate over public school spending, state policy on testing, and how to deal with schools with low levels of success. Marquette University presents the conference as the creation of the state budget for the next two years heads into its final weeks.
8 a.m. — Registration and light breakfast
8:15 a.m. — Welcome, Marquette University President Michael R. Lovell
8:20 a.m. — Opening remarks, Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers
8:25 a.m. — Professor Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll, describes Wisconsin public opinion, based particularly on a round of polling in April, on education issues.
8:45 a.m. — National Education Spending Trends: Where Does Wisconsin Fit?
Michael Griffith, senior policy analyst, Education Commission of the States, Denver, Colo.
Griffith has worked in the field of school finance policy for the past 15 years with ECS, the consulting firm of Augenblick & Myers, and the Michigan State Senate. His research has focused on the condition of state budgets, the adequacy and equity of state finance formulas, and promising practices in funding programs for high-need students. He is a frequent resource to journalists and others wishing to learn about these matters. Griffith holds a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University, a master's degree in public administration from The Ohio State University, and a master's degree in education management from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
9:15 a.m. — What’s Ahead for The Fairly Normal School District?
Bob Borch, retired school finance expert and creator of an illuminating projection, describes the financial outlook for public schools.
9:25 a.m. — Roundtable discussion: Money: What does it take to fuel schools adequately?
Moderated by Alan Borsuk, senior fellow in law and public policy
Rep. Dale Kooyenga, Republican, vice chair, Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance
Jeff Pertl, policy advisor to the state superintendent of public instruction
Marc Duff, chief financial officer, Racine schools and former Republican legislator
Emily Koczela, director of finance, School District of Brown Deer
Todd Berry, president, Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance
10:20 a.m. Break
10:35 a.m. — Testing: How can we tell how kids are doing?
Moderated by Mike Gousha, distinguished fellow in law and public policy
Brad Carl, associate director, Value Added Research Center, Wisconsin Center for Education Research at UW-Madison
Pat Deklotz, superintendent of Kettle Moraine Schools
State Sen. Paul Farrow, Republican, chair of Senate Education Reform Committee
Sally Flaschberger, advocacy specialist for Disability Rights Wisconsin
Amy Mizialko, director of teaching and learning for the Milwaukee Teacher's Education Association
11:25 a.m. — What can be done about low-success schools?
Moderated by Professor Robert Lowe, College of Education
Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt, Republican, chair, Assembly education committee
April Knox, Schools That Can Milwaukee
Rep. Mandela Barnes, Democrat, Assembly Education Committee member
Darienne Driver, superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools
Related Events
There are currently no upcoming events.
Please check back soon.