The Way I See It!

Taking the School Survey to the Past to Understand the Present

Posted by Randy Hollenbeck on Nov. 16, 2011

school, School Board, State Politics, Scott Walker, Wisconsin, Teachers

http://walker.wi.gov/journal_media_detail.asp?prid=6087&locid=177

For Immediate Release

Monday, November 14, 2011

WASDA Survey Results: A Case Study: 2011-12 vs 2004

Madison—Last week the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators released a survey of school districts.  355 district administrators responded, which accounts for 83% of Wisconsin school districts.  This is not the first time WASDA has done a survey like this, in past years they partnered with the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), the state’s largest teacher’s union.  In 2004, the statewide K-12 school tax levy increased 8 percent, yet the WASDA survey that year had results worse than the positive survey responses released for the 2011-12 school year. 

“In many ways Wisconsin schools will be faring better than they have under previous budgets,” said Governor Walker.  “This is good news for students.” 

2004 WASDA survey results compared to this year

Note: 2004-2005 K-12 total property tax levy was 8 percent higher than the previous year

Then:  In 2004, according to WEAC 68% of school districts were increasing class sizes

Now:  75% of districts that responded to the survey have the same K-3 class sizes or are decreasing them and 67% of districts for grades 4-6 are keeping the same class size or decreasing them

Then:  In 2004, according to WEAC 51% of school districts reduced extracurricular programs

Now:  92% of school districts are keeping extracurricular activities the same or expanding them

Then:  In 2004, according to WEAC 53% of school districts reduced courses in art, music, theater

Now:  94% of school districts have the same number or increased the number of art courses and 95% of school districts have the same number of or increased the number of music courses

Then:  In 2004, according to WEAC 49% of school districts reduced programs for at-risk students

Now:  85% of school districts have the same number or increased the number of at risk program staff

Then: In 2004, according to WEAC 60% of school districts offered fewer courses

Now:  98% of school districts have the same number or increased the number of AP courses

·         91% of school districts have the same number or increased the number of vocational/technical courses

·         94% of school districts have the same number of increased the number of art courses

·         95% of school districts have the same number of or increased the number of music courses

·         90% of school districts have the same number or increased the number of family/consumer ed. courses

·         99% of school districts have the same number or increased the number of physical education courses

·         93% of school districts have the same number or increased the number of business education courses

·         99% of school districts have the same number or increased the number of social studies courses

·         99% of school districts have the same number or increased the number of science courses

·         97% of school districts have the same number or increased the number of math courses

·         98% of school districts have the same number or increased the number of English courses

·         97% of school districts have the same number or increased the number of foreign language courses

Reference for 2004: http://www.weac.org/News_and_Publications/At_the_Capitol/archives/2004-2005/revcapsurvey04.aspx