opinion

Column: Walker's policies have devastated schools

As the mother of two children in Wisconsin, one with special needs, I know that Gov. Scott Walker's op-ed about education couldn't be more off base. My children face a much more challenging environment because of his disastrous education policy.

Scott Walker's policies have been devastating for Wisconsin's schools. He forced almost $2 billion in real cuts, by cutting state funding, limiting what school districts could raise locally, and forcing cuts in per-pupil support for the first time ever. Instead, that money went to tax breaks he gave to corporations and the wealthy like the millionaires that bankrolled his campaigns.

At my kids' schools, some of our best teachers have left. Our community has seen less music and art education and cuts to libraries. And for special-needs kids like my younger daughter, the future is even bleaker, as Walker continues to transfer resources from public schools to private schools that can't provide the same level of service.

He and his allies in the Legislature are forcing $300 million more in cuts to the University of Wisconsin System. I'm a college student, too, and these cuts mean my time to graduation is likely to be longer, and some of my best professors might leave.

These have been the biggest education cuts made in our state's history. Walker has driven the morale of teachers and professors through the floor with his attacks, driving talented educators, professors and researchers to other schools and states. In fact, Wisconsin is poised to fall below the average in per-pupil funding for the first time ever, and we may have the nation's weakest teacher credentialing system if he has his way.

My schools and my university aren't better off. They offer less, their teachers are demoralized, and the quality of education is going down. So when Walker tries to say his education reforms were the right ones, or that he is putting the interests of children first, don't be fooled.

Take it from a mom: Walker's education record is wrong for Wisconsin and wrong for America.

— Luisana Waukau, West Allis, Wis.