In our January 14th virtual town hall, I made a strong case for evidence-based innovation within our existing public schools. Drawing on both research and local successes, I challenged the notion that we need alternative school models to drive educational improvement in Madison.
The Evidence for What Works
After three decades of experimentation with charter schools and other alternative models, the research is clear: success isn’t about governance structure – it’s about specific classroom practices. I highlighted a landmark Harvard study by Will Dobbie and Roland Fryer that identified five key practices explaining nearly half the variation in school effectiveness.
- High expectations for every student
- Frequent teacher feedback
- Data-driven instruction
- High-dosage tutoring
- Increased instructional time focused on teaching
These practices can be implemented in any school model. We don’t need new governance structures – we need to systematically implement what we know works.
Success Stories in Madison
I pointed to several examples of these practices already working in MMSD:
- The AVID program has demonstrated improved GPAs, increased enrollment in AP and Honors courses, and higher college persistence rates
- Cherokee Heights Middle School has seen attendance rise above 90% across all grades and dramatic reductions in behavioral incidents
- The McKenzie Regional Workforce Center serves 1,900 youth, with 80% being Black or Latino students and 75% from low-income families
Addressing the Achievement Gap
While celebrating these successes, I’m direct about the challenges MMSD faces. Only 6.3% of Black students are reaching advanced or proficient levels in math, compared to 36.3% of students overall. This gap is unacceptable, but it’s not unchangeable. We know what works – now we need the will and resources to implement it systematically.
The Resource Reality
I addressed the funding challenges head-on:
- MMSD faces a $66.4 million annual gap in special education funding
- When adjusted for inflation, there’s a $3,300 per-student shortfall from previous funding levels
- 122 districts statewide were forced to seek operating referendums this fall just to maintain services
A Path Forward
Here is a four-phase implementation strategy:
Immediate Actions
- Expand successful programs like AVID
- Implement high-dosage tutoring where most needed
- Reduce administrative burdens on teachers
System Building
- Develop comprehensive feedback systems
- Create data infrastructure for real-time monitoring
- Build sustainable professional development programs
Long-term Sustainability
- Secure stable funding streams
- Create career pathways in all high schools
- Build comprehensive support systems
Clear Metrics
- Establish transparent accountability measures
- Regular public reporting on progress
- User-friendly access to data
The Choice Before Us
I concluded by reframing the school choice debate. The real choice isn’t between different types of schools. It’s between implementing what works or continuing with what isn’t working. Every school can be a great school when we implement proven practices systematically.