Cobb's review of this report praises it for its technically sound analysis and results that are descriptively useful. However, Cobb cautions that any real claims about whether the voucher program is actually causing higher graduation rates must depend upon a much stronger research design.
August 1970
Geographic Focus: North America-United States (Midwestern)-Wisconsin-Milwaukee County-Milwaukee
For the 23rd consecutive year, the Public Policy Forum has compiled and analyzed data from Southeastern Wisconsin's school districts in order to better inform policymakers and the public about progress-or lack thereof-on commonly utilized measures of academic achievement. This year's analysis of the 2008-09 academic year indicates cause for encouragement in some areas, but also cause for significant concern.
August 1970
Geographic Focus: North America-United States (Midwestern)-Wisconsin (Southeastern), North America-United States (Midwestern)-Wisconsin-Milwaukee County-Milwaukee
A survey of Milwaukee Kindergarten teachers finds nearly all (97%) report they can generally tell early in the school year which children attended preschool and which did not. Teachers also feel that those who attended preschool typically perform much better in Kindergarten and at least somewhat better after that. The survey of 77 teachers of five-year-old Kindergarten (K5) in the Milwaukee public school district (MPS) also finds that most teachers (93%) feel children with preschool or four-year-old Kindergarten (K4) backgrounds are somewhat to much better prepared to enter K5 than their peers. In addition, the majority (83%) feel spending time in preschool or K4 is very important prior to entering K5. These findings hold true for teachers in schools with higher-than-average enrollments of low-income children, as well as teachers in schools with fewer low-income children.
August 1970
Geographic Focus: North America-United States (Midwestern)-Wisconsin-Milwaukee County-Milwaukee
Children and Youth, Education and Literacy, Parenting and Families
Throughout the United States, investments in high-quality early childhood education are seen by community leaders as a strategy for improving outcomes in areas such as K-12 education, workforce development, and economic development. Indeed, many research studies conclude that high quality early learning environments produce social, educational, and economic benefits for children and the communities in which they live. As a result, many state and local governments around the country are seeking to capture these benefits by investing in quality improvement efforts. Wisconsin is no different; the 2009-2010 state biennial budget calls for the Department of Children and Families to create a strategy for improving the quality of publicly-subsidized child care. While policymakers increasingly are looking to maximize the benefits of high-quality early childhood education, budget realities often dictate that they do so while minimizing the expenditure of public funds. Thus, this report seeks to inform these decisions in Wisconsin by estimating the costs of achieving improved quality in child care and early learning programs in southeast Wisconsin and analyzing policy options associated with quality improvement initiatives.
August 1970
Geographic Focus: North America-United States (Midwestern)-Wisconsin (Southeastern)
Milwaukee Succeeds is a unique effort is bringing together all the key stakeholders to support a common set of goals to improve educational outcomes for all children in the city of Milwaukee.
Milwaukee and its children often end up on the wrong end of the list when it comes to education, poverty and the myriad of social and emotional issues surrounding them. To overcome these challenges, it will take a vision that all in our community embrace. After all, "success for every child, in every school" is a pretty large undertaking; one that will require a big commitment to fulfill. Milwaukee Succeeds believes our community is up for the challenge because we believe in the promise of our city. We know how hard individuals and groups are already working to improve the educational environment in Milwaukee. We have seen some dedicated efforts getting remarkable results with the children in our schools. But we also know it will take more than hard work. The work is too big for any one organization to tackle and the issues are too complex for any single group to overcome. It will take all of us -- parents, educators, community leaders, faith-based leaders, business leaders and more -- working toward our common goals.
This Milestone Report lays out the challenges we face and the goals that have been set to tackle them. In the data section, the issues are outlined as they exist today - some of which may seem daunting. With each challenge, there are clear outcomes we have set to achieve by 2020. But this report also makes a promise: We pledge to work together to achieve the goals we have laid out and to fulfill our commitment to the kids. That is the spirit of Milwaukee Succeeds and all who will join forces with us to take on this important work. We are a diverse group who pledges to collaborate and to focus on issues where our collective effort can make an impact. One issue at a time, one problem at a time working across the spectrum of cradle to career is how we will see success unfold.
We share the communitywide sense of urgency on improving the educational outcomes for children in our city, but we know that to create lasting change, we have to be in this for the long haul. This Milestone Report is just a starting point. It lays out the journey we have in front of us and the goals we expect to achieve along the way. We believe that by working together we all will get there. We know that by working together, we all will help Milwaukee succeed.
December 1969
Geographic Focus: North America-United States (Midwestern)-Wisconsin-Milwaukee County-Milwaukee
Education and Literacy;Government Reform
Provides an overview of alternative approaches to governance in urban school districts, including integrated governance, district dissolution, and state receivership. Outlines the benefits, limitations, and implications of mayoral control over districts.
December 1969
Geographic Focus: North America-United States (Midwestern)-Wisconsin-Milwaukee County-Milwaukee;North America-United States;North America-United States (Midwestern)-Wisconsin
Analyzes results of an evaluation of gains in reading and math scores over one academic year among independent charter school students compared with public school students, by charter school type, student characteristics, and school-switching.
December 1969
Geographic Focus: North America-United States (Midwestern)-Wisconsin-Milwaukee County-Milwaukee;North America-United States (Midwestern)-Wisconsin
