Superintendent Tony Evers recently released the Agenda 2017, incorporating four key elements for school reform and success:

1. Developing common standards and creating 21st century pathways to learning;
2. Improving assessment systems and data feedback that can impact instruction in “real time;”
3. Creating ways to assess and enhance teacher effectiveness; and 
4. Updating the school finance system to more fairly and transparently target limited resources in order to achieve the best outcomes – ideas outlined in Fair Funding for our Future.

Building on our success, Wisconsin’s future is certainly dependent on the quality of our educational system. A recent report, 2011 Wisconsin Sustainable Business Report, shows that the quality of our educational system is one of the key elements of a strong and sustainable economy. This framework put forth by Supt. Evers represents a common-sense and research-based approach to improving outcomes for our children that deserves beyond-partisan discussion and action.

By Jim Moeser