Assembly Approves Empowering Parents Agenda Bills

Madison – Six bills that will shake up the status quo in education are receiving overwhelming support. On Tuesday, the State Assembly approved six bills that put children and parents first and reform our state’s education system. The bills are part of the Empowering Parents Agenda authored by Senator Alberta Darling, Senator Roger Roth, along with Representatives Robert Wittke, Jeremy Thiesfeldt, Rick Gundrum, and other education leaders. Senator Darling says the educational establishment is putting itself ahead of kids.
 
“Our agenda puts parents and kids first,” Darling said, “We are going to increase transparency and accountability while giving parents real options for their children's education.
 
The Assembly approved six bills in the Empowering Parents Agenda.

Assembly Bill 963: Parental Bill of Rights - Establishes several parental rights relating to decisions regarding a child's religion, medical care, records, and education, and creates a cause of action for the violation of these rights. Allows a parent to bring a suit if those rights are violated.
Assembly Bill 965: School Accountability Reports – Establishes uniform standards for school accountability reports. Our state’s educational accountability system relies heavily on the state school and district report card. This bill improves the accountability reports to provide a consistent assessment of student success. 
Assembly Bill 966: Milwaukee Public School Reform – Establishes by 2024, MPS will be divided into smaller community districts that are more manageable and accountable to parents and their communities. The new community district boundaries will be developed by a commission made up of elected officials with a vested interest in the community, including the Mayor of Milwaukee, the Governor, and the State Superintendent.  
Assembly Bill 967 & Assembly Bill 968 High-Performing Charter Replication and Creation of Statewide Charter Board – Charter schools are public schools that operate with less red tape. This bill will streamline replication for the highest performing charter schools in our state and will increase opportunities for more students and families statewide.
Assembly Bill 970: School Choice Expansion - Opens school choice to all Wisconsin families by removing state enrollment caps, family income limits, and grade entry points – marking the beginning of true school choice for all our students and families.
 
“I am excited our bills are making strong progress,” Darling said, “The time is now to put children and families first because we can no longer afford to lose another generation of students. We are going to do what is right for kids, parents, and the future of Wisconsin.
 
The bills will have a public hearing on Wednesday, February 23rd in the Senate Committee on Education.
 
Senator Darling represents portions of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha Counties. 
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Media Contact:
Name: State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills)
Phone: 608-266-5830
Email address: Sen.Darling@legis.wisconsin.gov
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