Wisconsin's 2011 Act 10: Analysis of Impacts to K-12 Public Education
Abstract
Our research investigates the differential impacts of Wisconsin’s 2011 Act 10 and Act 32 on
K-12 public school districts throughout the state. The 2011 biennial state budget (Act 32), the
reallocation of state aid and decrease in revenue limits, coupled with the reforms of Act 10 impacted
public education in a profound way. Our research concentrated on sifting through the various
impacts, both positives and negatives, in order to determine how, or whether, the policies within Act
10 and Act 32 address the prevailing issues in Wisconsin’s public education system.
In order to assess and evaluate the ramifications of Act 10 and Act 32, we used a mixed
methodology, combining both qualitative and qualitative data analysis. We distributed surveys to
superintends and WEAC representatives to gain insight on their opinions and perceptions, while
also conducting interviews with legislators in order to get the perspective of policy experts. Through
our research we were able to determine the adverse effects that teachers felt in the wake of these
acts and the rationale of political actors involved in the passing of this legislation. Republican
lawmakers believed that tax breaks for residents would provide incentive enough to eliminate the
influence of teachers, while Democrats saw Act 10 as an assault against public education.
Through our data analysis we found that Act 10 and Act 32 disproportionately, and
adversely, target rural schools and students of color. While Act 10’s reforms balanced the budget
and provided superintendents’ with greater flexibility in managing their budgets, the costs of the
legislation outweigh the benefits. The reallocation of state aid and decrease in revenue limits
particularly harms districts with high levels of poverty and declining enrollment, while rewarding
affluent, successful districts. The funding model enacted through Act 32 perpetuates inequality
between school districts and between students of differing demographic backgrounds, further
exacerbating the achievement gap and codifying “winners and losers” amongst schools.
Our recommendations to address these prevailing issues are for the state to adopt an
equitable school funding model, incentivize the pursuit of a career in education, address the needs
of high cost districts, and to further integrate social and educational services.
Subject
Act 10
Public education
Wisconsin
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/78989Description
Includes Figures, Maps, Graphs, Appendices and Bibliography.