In Wisconsin, Hundreds Rally for More School Funding

On January 24, 2001, hundreds of Wisconsin citizens filled the state capitol building in Madison to call for increased funding of the state's public schools. In a packed hearing room, the president of the Wisconsin PTA offered legislators a batch of brownies. "This is the last plate of brownies we will sell for you," she said. "We can no longer use bake sales to fund basic education." The many parents, students, educators, and other citizens who echoed her message came together from all over the state. An 18-months planning effort by a number of different organizations, Citizen's Day also culminated a series of statewide forums to raise awareness of school funding problems.

The Institute for Wisconsin's Future, one of the rally's sponsors, has issued a report based on testimony from nearly 300 people. "Are School Revenue Limits Limiting Learning?" (PDF format) details the severity of Wisconsin's education funding shortfalls, including overcrowding, program cutbacks, inadequate learning materials and technology, and poorly maintained buildings. The report also explores possible solutions.

Prepared January 24, 2001