Republicans Pass Education Bills Focused on Raising Standards, Banning Cell Phones, and Teaching Cursive

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly passed six education bills this week.

The bills are some of the first big moves in the new legislative session. They were sponsored and passed by Republicans, with no support from Democrats. State Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction Jill Underly opposes all but one of the proposals. 

All bills will now head to the Wisconsin State Senate now that they’ve passed the Assembly.

Assembly Bill 1 – Raising Standards

This bill would require the Department of Public Instruction to change the standards used in standardized testing. Over the last few years, the DPI met with 100 teachers across Wisconsin to change standards. They lowered cutoffs, and changed language. For example, it changed “basic” to “approaching”. This bill would undo those changes, and require Wisconsin adhere to standards from the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Democrats say changing standards without increasing funding to add resources to meet those standards isn’t fair. 

Assembly Bill 6 – Funding Restrictions

This bill would require school districts spend at least 70% of their funding on direct classroom expenditures. That includes things like teacher pay and books. It would also cap administrators’ raises at the same rate as their teachers’ raises. DPI Superintendent Jill Underly said this proposal ignores some necessary costs, like facilities and school safety measures. 

Assembly Bill 2 – Cell Phone Ban

This bill would ban students from using devices during instructional time. It would include exceptions for emergencies, students with special needs, and students who use devices for health reasons. It would be up to each individual district to decide how to keep students’ phones out of their hands. A survey from the DPI showed that 90% of school districts that participated already have cell phone restrictions in place. Underly and the DPI oppose the bill. According to a Pew Research survey from last year, more than 70% of high school teachers say devices in class is a major problem. 

Assembly Bill 3 – Cursive

This bill would require Wisconsin students learn to read and write in cursive. Some studies have shown a preliminary link between cursive and comprehension. However, some advocates believe that in an increasingly digital world, it’s not worth adding to an already-packed curriculum. Underly said if Republican lawmakers want to focus on comprehension, they should discuss Act 20. Act 20 is the monumental law that switched Wisconsin to a science-backed method when it comes to teaching students how to read. The Joint Finance Committee has so far refused to release the $50 million already approved to fund implementing these changes. If it isn’t released by this summer, the money will go into the state’s massive $4 billion surplus. 

Assembly Bill 5 – Inspecting Materials

This bill would give school districts two weeks to provide materials to district residents who request it. Republicans said it would allow parents to get information about what their kids are learning faster. This is the third time they’ve tried to pass this into law. Democrats said it’s unnecessary, because parents already have access to learning material. Underlie said it seems like a move to sow distrust in school leadership. 

Assembly Bill 6 – Civics

This bill would require elementary and high schools students get civics instruction. Underly said they’ve strengthened civics curriculum over the last few years, and students are already required to learn about civics as part of the Social Studies standards in Wisconsin. She didn’t oppose this bill, but filed comment saying there should be more collaboration to look at similarities between this bill and current standards.