Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
Senate Democrats support school choice roadblocks
By Mary Lazich
Wednesday, Mar 12 2008, 05:03 PM
Senate Democrats approved bills in the Senate today that set up obstacles for the popular and successful Milwaukee Parental Choice Program.
Senate Bill 486 (SB 486) stipulates that beginning in the 2009−10 school year, each private school participating in the school choice program must ensure that all instructional staff in the private school hold a license or a permit to teach issued by the state Department of Public Instruction.
I had the opportunity to tour a choice school in Milwaukee. One of the instructors teaching physical education had a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He was more than qualified to be teaching physical education and his students thoroughly enjoyed his class.
Under SB 486 that was approved along party lines by the state Senate, this Tae Kwon Do black belt-holder would be prohibited from teaching in an area he’s very knowledgeable unless he goes through the hoops to get a DPI license. That would be unfair to the staff person and extremely sad for school children benefiting from this professional’s expertise.
Choice schools have a system in place to ensure quality teachers.
As part of an accreditation process required under a bill signed into law during the 2005 legislative session, 2005 Act 125, choice schools have a professional development plan. There are also training and education credits in the specific subject areas that a staff person teaches.
I also voted against Senate Bill 349 (SB 349). SB 349 is about record keeping.
Previous legislation, 2005 Act 125, addressed the issue. Under the law, choice schools must be accredited within three years by an approved agency. Each of the agencies has specific requirements that must be followed for keeping student records.
I voted against these bills because they are more efforts by Senate Democrats to impede the continued progress of choice schools by imposing unnecessary regulations.
