Rep. Donovan Votes to Prioritize Educational Standards

Madison – Representative Bob Donovan (R-Greenfield) gave the following statement after the Assembly passed legislation regarding education standards, transparency, and classroom prioritization. Recently, the National Assessment of Education Progress found that Wisconsin’s 4th graders were under performing as only 31% were proficient in reading in 2024. Assembly Bill 1 addresses Wisconsin’s education standards by re-aligning them to previous iterations to maintain consistency and dispel with changes that make it difficult to determine student educational outcomes. 

“Our children are a reflection of our future. Prioritizing their education, especially in the most formative years, is essential to the next generation’s success,” said Rep. Donovan. “Frankly, lowering our standards does nothing but hinder our kids. We should encourage them to meet and exceed the standards set before them, not lower them in attempt to hide falling student outcomes.”

Additionally, Assembly Bill 6 requires schools to allocate 70% of their operating expenditures to classroom expenses. Annual salary adjustments for administrators must be comparable to teachers, limiting them to no more than the percentage given to teachers. 

“Schools serve children at the end of the day and we must ensure that education dollars are being properly spent on tools that further our children’s development.” said Rep. Donovan. “Our teachers are the frontline of our educational system and it is only fair that they receive a salary that is competitive with their administrative counterparts.”

Other educational reform proposals passed today include teaching cursive writing, mandating civics education, and school curriculum transparency.