>> TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, GOING
INTO -- REACHING THE EDGE TO ITS
OWN KIND OF DAMAGE?
>> CERTAINLY DOES.
2011, LAST TIME THEY CAME UP TO
THE EDGE OF DEFAULT ON THE OBAMA
ADMINISTRATION, CREDIT RATING
WENT FROM AAA TO DOUBLE AA PLUS.
IF THEY DO THIS AGAIN WE COULD
SEE ANOTHER DOWNGRADE
CATASTROPHIC IN MANY WAYS, FIRST
OF ALL COSTS MORE FOR THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BORROW.
SECONDLY, MARKETS ALWAYS TIP,
WHICH MEANS FOR SENIORS.
...
>> FOLLOWING PROGRAM PBS
WISCONSIN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION.
>> SO TODAY WE ARE EXCITED TO
ANNOUNCE THAT IN ADDITION TO
WHAT WE SAID WITH ORIGINAL BILL
WHICH WAS THE LARGEST INVESTMENT
IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN STATE
HISTORY, WE ARE ACTUALLY EVEN
GOING TO BE BIGGER WITH THE BILL
WE ANNOUNCED TODAY.
>> ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS LATEST
AND LAST ITERATION OF SHARED
REVENUE PROPOSAL.
SENATE SAYS NOT SO FAST.
MEANWHILE FUNDS FOR COUNTY,
CITIES AND VILLAGES RUNNING DRY.
I AM FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE & NOW," LATEST
ON PLANS TO FUND LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS INCLUDING HOW ONE
CITY IS MAKING TOUGH CHOICES
WITHOUT INCREASED FUNDING.
REVENUE SECRETARY PETER BARKA
WEIGHS IN HOW THE FEDERAL DEBT
DILEMMA EFFECTING WISCONSIN.
DEADLY DRIVING WREAKING HALVE
OKAY IN WISCONSIN AND GARAGERADUATION
RATES FOR WISCONSIN.
>> FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN.
?
AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK,
ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS RELEASE
CHANGES TO SHARED REVENUE BILL
TO INCREASE FUNDING TO WISCONSIN
COMMUNITIES.
WITHIN THEIR PROPOSAL LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS ACROSS THE STATE
WILL NOW SEE ADDITIONAL
INCREASES, EXCEPT FOR MILWAUKEE
WHICH IS TO REMAIN CAPPED AT
10%.
WHAT HASN'T CHANGED IS PROVISION
ALLOWING MILWAUKEE TO IMPOSE A
SALES TAX.
MUST BE APPROVED FROM VOTERS
THROUGH A COUNTY REV -- NOT LONG
AFTER MAKING THE STATEMENT
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER VOSS SAID THEY
ARE DONE NEGOTIATING.
>> WE FEEL LIKE THE BILL COMES
FORWARD IS RESULT OF GOOD FAITH
NEGOTIATIONS, EVERYBODY HAS TO
TAKE THEIR OWN POSITION.
WE ARE DONE NEGOTIATING.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE CHANGES
AND CHANGE THE BILL
SUBSTANTIALLY.
WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE US IS THE
DEAL WE ARE SENDING TO OUR
COLLEAGUES.
>> SPEAKERS COLLEAGUES IN THE
STATE SENATE WERE NOT HAPPY.
>> THERE ARE TWO HOUSES IN THE
STATE LEGISLATURE.
UNFORTUNATE HE IS DRAWING THE
LINE IN THE SAND WITH HIS
VERSION OF THE BILL AND STOP
NEGOTIATIONS NOT EVERYBODY IS IN
AGREEMENT.
WE ARE GOING TO DO OUR DUE
DILIGENCE.
IF THE ASSEMBLY REFUSES TO TAKE
UP THE BILL MAKING CHANGES TO
MUNICIPALITIES ALL AROUND THE
STATE, HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO
ANSWER TO HIS CAUCUS AT THAT
POINT.
>> AGAIN ASSEMBLY BILL BUMPS UP
MINIMUM INCREASE IN SHARED
REVENUE TO 15-%.
SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER TAKES
US TO THE CITY OF BROADHEAD IN
GREEN COUNTY.
AND 15% DOESN'T SOLVE THE
PROBLEMS.
>> MY CAMPAIGN WAS TO DRIVE
AROUND THE STREETS.
>> HE LOSS THAT RACE AND SPENT
MOST OF HIS ADULT LIFE LIVING
OUT OF STATE.
WHEN HE WON IN 2022 HE HAD A
PLAN.
>> I HAVE SEVERAL BUSINESSES.
I FIGURE I COULD RUN LIKE THAT.
IT IS NOT CLOSE.
VERY SLOW.
>> FIRST THING HE RAN INTO WAS A
CITY BUDGET STARVED OF INCREASE
IN SHARED REVENUE FOR A DECADE.
>> THERE IS NOT A LOT OF OTHER
THINGS TO CUT.
>> BROAD HEAD FIRE DISTRICT
DECIDED TO MOVE FROM VOLUNTEERS
TO FULL TIME STAFF.
CITY'S PORTION OF THE INCREASE
MORE THAN $300,000 A YEAR.
>> LAST YEAR, WE WERE GOING TO
HAVE TO CUT $330,000.
10% OF THE BUDGET.
>> INSTEAD, MAJOR JONES SENT
DISILLUSION LETTER TO BROAD HEAD
FIRE DISTRICT STARTING PROCESS
OF BREAKING UP THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT.
HE SAYS IT WASN'T JUST
NEGOTIATING TACTIC.
>> IF YOU ARE BREAKING EGGS, YOU
HAVE TO HAVE A BACK UP PLAN.
WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY VIABLE
PLAN.
FIRST THING TO SAY HOW DO WE FIX
WHAT WE HAVE?
>> CITY AND RURAL WERE ABLE TO
NEGOTIATE THE DEAL THAT KEPT
VOLUNTEERS.
IT WAS A ONE-YEAR FIX WHILE THE
CITY OF BROAD HEAD WENT TO
REFERENDUM TO ASK VOTERS FOR
EXTRA $400,000 A YEAR.
>> IF THEY VOTE NO, NEXT YEAR WE
HAVE TO CUT SOCIAL PROGRAMS.
THEN WE LOST THE REFERENDUM.
>> GREAT TO BE HERE IN WISCONSIN
DELLS TODAY.
>> JONES KNEW THE STAKES FOR HIS
CITY WHEN HE TRAVELED TO
WISCONSIN DELLS AND WAITED SIX
HOURS TO GET TWO MINUTES TO
SPEAK BEFORE THE JOINT FINANCE
COMMITTEE.
>> I AM MAJOR JOINS FROM CITY OF
BROAD HEAD.
I RETIRED 20 YEARS AGO.
IT DIDN'T FIT.
>> JONES EXPLAINED WITHOUT AN
INCREASE IN SHARED REVENUE HE
WOULD HAVE TO CLOSE TO POOL.
>> WE HAD A POOL, PARKS AND REC,
ALL THOSE THINGS.
LOOKS LIKE MY HOMETOWN IS NO
LONGER GOING TO HAVE THEM.
THAT IS HOW DIRE IT IS.
>> POOL COST ABOUT $80,000 A
YEAR.
MOST RECENT VERSION OF THE
REPUBLICAN PLAN WILL GIVE BROAD
HEAD EXTRA $109,000 A YEAR.
>> AT THE VERY LEAST WE CAN
DELAY THINGS DOWN THE ROAD.
>> WHILE THE POOL WILL STAY OPEN
THIS SUMMER.
JONES KNOWS THIS ISN'T A
PERMANENT FIX.
>> IT IS A START.
THAT IS -- YOU HAVE TO TAKE
LITTLE VICTORIES.
>> REPORTING FROM BROAD HEAD, I
AM ZACH SCHULTZ FOR "HERE & NOW"
NOW."
>> LAWMAKERS SCRAMBLING TO MAKE
DOWN TO A WIRE DEER TO RAISE THE
DEBT LIMIT.
WHAT WOULD A NEAR DEFAULT MEAN
FOR WISCONSIN'S ECONOMY?
WE TURN TO WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT
OF REVENUE SECRETARY PETER
BARKA.
>> WHEN IT COMES TO A CLOSE OF
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT GOING INTO
DEFAULT, DOES REACHING THE EDGE
DO ITS OWN KIND OF DAMAGE?
>> CERTAINLY DOES.
2011 LAST TIME THEY CAME UP TO
EDGE OF DEFAULT, UNDER OBAMA
ADMINISTRATION, AAA TO DOUBLE A
PLUS NEVER ELEVATED AGAIN.
IF THEY DO THIS AGAIN VERY WELL
COULD SEE ANOTHER DOWNGRADE,
CATASTROPHIC IN MANY WAYS.
FIRST OF ALL, COST MORE FOR THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BORROW.
SECONDLY, MARKETS ALWAYS TIP.
MEANS FOR SENIORS, WHO ARE
DEPENDING ON 401KS, THEY GET
WORRIED AND TAKE A DIP.
BEING CLOSE IS BAD ENOUGH.
IF THEY DEFAULT, WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS,
16,400 JOBS LOST IN WISCONSIN
ACCORDING TO LOUISIANA
ANALYTICS, DECLINE IN PAYROLL.
WITH HOLDING TAXES GO DOWN,
CORPORATE TAXES GO DOWN.
IT WOULD HAVE AN EFFECT ON
WISCONSIN AS WELL.
>> WHERE AND WHY ARE THOSE JOBS
LOST?
>> WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING WHEN
THE MARKETS SUFFER, THAT IS THE
FIRST STAGE.
INVESTMENT DOLLARS ALSO START TO
DRY UP.
SO BUSINESSES THAT MAYBE WERE
GOING TO EXPAND OR DEPENDENT ON
HAVING EXTRA CAPITAL ALL THE
SUDDEN HAVE TO LAY PEOPLE OFF.
THAT IS THE OTHER DEVASTATING
THING.
EFFECT IS UNEVEN.
EFFECTS SENIOR CITIZENS
DEPENDING ON INVESTMENT INCOME.
YOUNG PEOPLE FIRST ONES TO BE
LAID OFF.
IT IS NOT EVEN IN EFFECT THOSE
PEOPLE ARE MIDDLE INCOME YOU
KNOW, EDGE OF SOCIETY.
THEY ALWAYS GET HURT THE WORST.
>> THEN THERE IS THE SPECIFIC
VERY INSTANT EFFECT, RIGHT OF
PEOPLE POTENTIALLY NOT GETTING
SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS?
>> OF COURSE.
THAT IS NOT EVEN LOOKING AT
THAT.
IF IN FACT, THEY DO DEFAULT,
THEN THE TREASURE SECRETARY HAS
TO START TRIAGING AND MAKING
DECISIONS IF YOU ARE GETTING
SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS OUT ON
TIME.
WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE ARE JUST
ABOUT TO QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID OR
MEDICARE.
OF COURSE LOTS TO HEAR ABOUT
VETERANS AND THEIR BENEFITS.
IT IS AN INCREDIBLE RIPPLE
EFFECT.
PART THAT IS SO SAD IT IS SO
UNNECESSARY.
THREE TIMES IN THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION THEY DID THIS.
I THINK OF IT AS A FAMILY.
WHEN OUR CREDIT CARD BILL IS
DUE, I AM NOT GOING TO PAY SO I
PAY INTEREST IN PENALTIES.
PAY YOUR BILLS WHEN THEY ARE DUE
AND MAKE DECISIONS BUDGET
PROCESS, APPROPRIATE SPENDING
TAX RELIEF.
ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY THEY
NEED TO DO THIS AT THIS
JUNCTURE.
IT IS AT A VERY PERILOUS TIME.
FEDS INCREASING INTEREST RATES.
WE SAW FOR FISCAL BUREAU.
SLIGHT DIP IN TERMS OF SURPLUS.
YOU WORRY ABOUT TRAJECTORY.
>> SO MOODY'S SAYS IT IS NOT
LIKELY IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
TREASURY SECRETARY JANET YELLEN
SAYS HOLD ON PEOPLE, JUNE 1 IS
THE DAY.
SHE IS SOUNDING THE ALARM ON
THIS.
>> RIGHT.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> KNOWING WE DON'T WANT TO GET
UP AGAINST THAT LAST DAY OR TWO
IN CASE IT TAKES LONGER TO GET
THE VOTES OR GOES SOUR.
WE ARE PLAYING WITH FIRE.
PLAYING WITH PEOPLE'S LIVES,
ECONOMY, AND EFFECT ON SO MANY
FAMILIES, I JUST HOPE TO
GOODNESS THEY ARE ABLE TO DO
SOMETHING IN THE NEXT WEEK.
>> SPEAKING OF MCCARTHY AND HIS
CAUCUS AND MEMBERS, IS IT WORSE
NOW, THIS KIND OF UP TO THE
BRINK?
>> I THINK IT IS BECAUSE YOU
KNOW, IN THE PAST, WHETHER
DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN SPEAK OR
MAJORITY LEADER IN THE SENATE,
GENERALLY SPEAKING, MEMBERS
TRUSTED LEADERS AND VOTE
ACCORDINGLY TO WHATEVER VOTE IS
REACHED.
WHEN MCCARTHY AGREED TO BECOME
PART OF THE -- HE HAS TO BE ALL
THE MORE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT DEAL
HE STRIKES.
I AM SURE HE MUST HAVE TO BE ON
THE PHONE CONTINUALLY.
>> HAVE WE SEEN ANY INDICATION
YET BECAUSE WE ARE SO CLOSE TO
THAT JUNE 1 DATE IN MARKETS OR
ANYTHING LIKE THAT?
>> OUR ECONOMISTS WATCHING THIS
CLOSELY.
WE ARE VERY NERVOUS OURSELVES.
WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE AT A TIME
WHEN WISCONSIN HAS NOT BEEN
STRONG.
WE DO HAVE AAA BOND RATING.
LOWER NUMBER OF PEOPLE
UNEMPLOYMENT EVER.
GREATEST GROWTHS IN
MANUFACTURING JOBS.
LAST THING WE WANT TO SEE.
[LAUGHTER].
>> PUBLIC SAFETY NEWS, LAST
WEEKEND IN MILWAUKEE FIVE KILLED
INCLUDING A BABY WHEN A DRIVER
GOING 80 MILES AN HOUR ON A CITY
STREET RAN A RED LIGHT.
THE 20 YEAR OLD BEHIND THE WHEEL
DID NOT HAVE A LICENSE ACCORDING
TO POLICE.
RECKLESS DRIVING HAS HAD THE
ATTENTION OF LAWMAKERS.
2020 A RECORD 107 PEOPLE DIED.
LAST WEEK TONY EVRS SIGNED A
BILL.
OUR NEXT GUEST WOULD SAY IT IS
ABOUT TIME.
TRACEY KNOWN AS MILWAUKEE
ACTIVIST DIRECTOR OF PEACE FOR
CHANGE ALLIANCE ACTIVE ON THIS
FRIGHTENING PROBLEM IN HIS CITY.
HE JOINS US FROM HIS VEHICLE IN
MILWAUKEE.
THANKS FOR DOING SO.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> TWO YEARS AGO YOU WERE QUOTED
AS SAYING PEOPLE WERE TIRED AND
AFRAID.
WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THE
DEADLY CRASH LAST WEEKEND?
>> TWO YEARS AGO TIRED AND
AFRAID, NOW TIRED AND ANGRY.
THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED
EVEN A BABY KILLED.
IT IS DEVASTATING.
WHOLE CITY IS DEVASTATED.
WE ARE TIRED AND ANGRY AND IT IS
TIME FOR ACTION.
UM, YEAH, THAT IS ALL THE
EMOTIONS, YOU KNOW.
FIGHTING BACK BASICALLY.
>> YOU ARE AN UBER DRIVER.
YOU DRIVE THE STREETS OF
MILWAUKEE WHAT IS THAT LIKE?
>> IT IS LIKE THE INDY 500.
YOU KNOW, PEOPLE CUT YOU OFF,
RUNNING RED LIGHTS.
THEY ARE RECKLESS.
THEY DON'T HAVE NO SENSE OF
VALUE OF LIFE.
COUPLE OF TIMES WHERE YOU KNOW,
I ALMOST WAS IN A SERIOUS
ACCIDENT BECAUSE SOMEBODY BLEW
THROUGH A RED LIGHT, A STOP
SIGN.
SOMEBODY ALL THE SUDDEN TRIED TO
BEAT TRAFFIC AND TURN IN FRONT
OF US.
IT IS JUST, IT IS LIKE MAKE PS
PEOPLE NOT WANT TO DRIVE
ANYMORE.
YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT IS SO CRAZY
OUT HERE.
>> RECENT STUDIES,
DISPROPORTIONATELY A PROBLEM IN
BLACK COMMUNITIES, WHAT IS THAT
ABOUT?
>> UM, THAT, I MEAN, YOU SEE A
HIGH SENSE OF RECKLESS DRIVE ON
NORTH SIDE OF MILWAUKEE YOU CAN
SAY BLACK COMMUNITY, YES.
ON THE NORTH SIDE OF MILWAUKEE
WE ARE SO RELAXED WHEN IT COMES
TO UM, TRAFFIC SAFETY, AND THEN
IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY.
WE STAY IN MILWAUKEE SO
SEGREGATED.
NORTH SIDE, BLACK COMMUNITY.
THEY HAVE NO VALUE.
WE HAVE TO BE MORE TOUGH ON
CRIME HERE IN MILWAUKEE ON THE
NORTH SIDE.
THESE SAME DRIVERS WILL NOT DO
THIS IN THE SUBURBIAN CITIES.
THEY WON'T DO IT IN OAK CREEK,
IN SOUTH MILWAUKEE.
THEY KNOW THEY HAVE ZERO
TOLERANCE.
WE NEED ZERO TOLERANCE HERE IN
MILWAUKEE.
>> WHAT IS THE MINDSET OF
DRIVERS WHO ROAR AROUND BEHIND
THE WHEEL BLOWING RED LIGHTS?
>> THEY THINK IT IS COOL.
THEY DO IT.
SOME RECORD IT AND PUT IT ON
SOCIAL MEDIA.
YOU KNOW, FOR VIEWS, FOR LIKES,
FOR ATTENTION.
THAT IS THE INTHING.
THAT IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT IT IS.
THEY WANT TO YOU KNOW, JUST
SPEED.
IT IS LIKE THEY HAVE NO SENSE OF
VALUE OF LIFE AND IF THEY DON'T
CARE ABOUT THEIR LIVES, WHY
SHOULD THEY CARE ABOUT YOURS.
>> THAT GOES FOR --
>> GO AHEAD.
>> HOW DO YOU THINK THE NEW LAW
INCREASE IN JAIL TIME MIGHT
CHANGE THIS FOR THE BETTER?
>> UM, I SUPPORT IT.
SOME PEOPLE SAY WE DON'T NEED
PIPELINE TO PRISON.
WE NEED MORE RESOURCES.
THAT IS TRUE.
THEY ALSO HAVE TO OWN UP TO
THEIR ACTIONS.
RIGHT NOW IT IS LIKE, YOU KNOW,
THE LAW IS AFRAID TO APPLY TOUGH
ER PENALTIES ON PEOPLE OF COLOR
BECAUSE THEY ARE TIRED OF SEEING
PEOPLE OF COLOR IN PRISON, IN
JAIL.
YOU KNOW.
WE HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST
INCARCERATION RATE IN THE
COUNTRY SO THEREFORE THEY TRY TO
BE MORE LENIENT WHEN IT COMES TO
TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.
YOU KNOW.
BUT NOW IT IS TIME BECAUSE WE
ARE LOSING PEOPLE.
IT IS TIME FOR ZERO TOLERANCE.
I SUPPORT THE JAIL TIME.
YOU GET THE YOUNGER GENERATION
FEELS CURRENT LAW IS A JOKE.
A SLAP ON THE WRIST FOR
TEENAGERS.
IT IS LIKE THEY'LL GET ARRESTED.
FEW HOURS LATER BACK OUT AND
STEALING ANOTHER CAR AND DRIVING
OFF AGAIN.
WE NEED TO HAVE ZERO TOLERANCE
IN CITY OF MILWAUKEE.
OAK CREEKS, SOUTH MILWAUKEE.
ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY WHEN IT
COMES TO RECKLESS DRIVING.
>> ALL RIGHT.
TRACEY, WE NEED TO LEAVE IT
THERE.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
COMMENT ON THIS.
STAY SAFE OUT THERE ON THE
ROADWAYS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
>>> TURNING TO EDUCATION,
SOPHISTICATED ALGORITHM CALLED
DROP OUT EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS
DO'S USED BY WISCONSIN ONLY A
FEW LIKE IT.
SYSTEM TRIES TO PREDICT WHETHER
A STUDENT EXITING MIDDLE SCHOOL
IS LIKELY TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH
SCHOOL.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT FROM
MARK UP.
PUBLICATION THAT LOOKS AT USE OF
BIG TECH.
NUMBER OF DATA POINTS, TEST
SCORES, DISCIPLINARY RECORDS AND
FAMILY INCOME.
UNIQUE AND CONTROVERSIAL DATA
POINT IS RACE.
DPI SAYS DO'S USES WHAT HAS
ALREADY HAPPENED IN THE PAST
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.
ALL IN ORDER TO CHANGE COURSE
AND HELP INSURE STUDENTS
IDENTIFIED AS AT-RISK DOING IN
FACT GRADUATE ON TIME BY
DIRECTING RESOURCES, SUPPORT AND
INTERVENTIONS TO STUDENTS THAT
MAY NEED THEM.
WE TURN TO REPORT'S AUTHOR TODD
FEATHERS, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING
ME.
>> YOU SEEM TO HAVE UNCOVERED
PREDICTION FOR HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATION MOST OF US HAVE NEVER
HEARD OF.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
>> IT IS A SYSTEM BUILT IN 2012
TO PREDICT WHETHER STUDENTS WILL
GRADUATE ON TIME.
GENERATES PREDICTION EVERY
STUDENT 6-9TH, MILD, MODERATE OR
LOW RISK OF DROPPING OUT.
SUPPOSED TO HELP STOOLS AND
DIRECT RESOURCES, SUPPORT FOR
STUDENTS THAT NEED IT MOST.
WHAT WE FOUND SYSTEM IS WRONG
NEARLY THREE QUARTERS OF THE
TIME A STUDENT WON'T GRADUATE.
LACK OF HISPANIC, THAN WHITE
STUDENTS.
ON TOP OF THAT, ACADEMIC
RESEARCH BASED OUT OF UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY CONDUCTED
STUDY LARGEST OF ITS KIND ON
DO'S.
NOT ACHIEVED PRIMARY GOAL.
>> SO THIS QUESTION IF IT IS
WRONG ACCORDING TO YOUR
REPORTING, THREE QUARTERS OF THE
TIME, WHY IS THAT?
>> SO BY SOME STANDARDS, DO'S IS
VERY ACCURATE.
IT IS CORRECT 97% OF THE TIME A
STUDENT WILL GRADUATE.
WHAT DPI DID IS CALL --
CALIBRATE IT.
SO THEY ARE SAYING, WE ARE
WILLING TO LABEL A LOT OF
STUDENTS LIKELY NON GRADUATES IN
ORDER TO CAPTURE ALL OF THE
ONES.
>> COULD IT BE ERROR AS A RESULT
OF RESOURCE AND INPUTS GIVEN TO
THE STUDENTS THAT MIGHT BE
PREDICTED NOT TO GRADUATE?
>> THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
BERKELEY RESEARCHES TESTED FOR.
THEY WERE GOING TO STUDENTS
LABELED HIGH RISK, YOU WOULD
EXPECT TEN YEARS OF DATA FOR
IMPROVED GRADUATION RATES.
DATA SHOWED NO IMPACT ON
GRADUATION RATES AND IDENTIFIED.
>> TURNING TO ANOTHER DATA POINT
LOADED INTO THIS ALGORITHM, THAT
IS RACE.
SOMETHING YOU CALL IN YOUR
ARTICLE QUOTE A RACIALLY
INEQUITABLE ALGORITHM BUILT BY
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN WHY RACE IS
USED AS A PREDICTOR?
>> IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THIS
ALGORITHM DESIGNED BACK IN 2012.
WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY HOW WE
UNDERSTAND ALGORITHMS AND BIASES
IN THE WAY, THINGS LIKE RACE CAN
FACTOR INTO THESE PREDICTIONS.
THIS ALGORITHM HASN'T CHANGED
MUCH.
BACK AT THAT TIME, EVEN STILL
CURRENTLY, RESEARCHERS IN THIS
FIELD OF EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS,
USING DATA POINTS LIKE RACE
IMPROVES ACCURACY.
BETTER AT PREDICTING WHO WILL
AND WON'T GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL.
YOU CAN SEE WHY THAT WOULD BE
THE CASE.
WISCONSIN STARK RACIAL
DISPARITIES, WHITE STUDENTS
GRADUATING AT A MUCH HIGHER RATE
THAN BLACK STUDENTS.
GROWING BODY OF RESEARCH AND
ACADEMIC ARGUMENT SAY A SMALL
ACCURACY IS NOT ENCODING
HISTORICAL BIASES.
>> I WANT TO GET TO SOMETHING
THE DPI TOLD US, YOU QUOTED A
SPOKES PERSON SAID EDUCATION
SYSTEM IS SYSTEMATICALLY RACIST.
SHE TOLD US, WHEN IT COMES TO
LABELLING STUDENTS, I AGREE WE
SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE
IMPACT THE WORDS HAVE ON OUR
LEARNERS.
YET INTENTION OF THE LABEL IS TO
PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE
INTERVENTIONS THESE STUDENTS
NEED.
I WISH WE DIDN'T NEED A LABEL.
IT IS AN ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE
RESOURCES TO THE LEARNERS THAT
NEED IT MOST AND SCHOOLS NEED TO
IDENTIFY FOR THEM.
HOW DID THE STUDENTS LIKE
LABELED HIGH-RISK AND RACE WAS
PUT INTO THE ALGORITHM?
>> YOU KNOW, FIRST THING NONE OF
THE STUDENTS SPOKE TO KNEW THE
ALGORITHM EXISTED OR SCHOOL WAS
LOOKING AT THIS INFORMATION AND
MAKING DECISIONS HOW THEY TREAT
THEM.
SHOCKED A LOT OF THE STUDENTS.
SHOCKED ME WHEN I FIRST HEARD.
BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS
OFTEN FELT LIKE SECONDARY SCHOOL
SYSTEMS WITHIN THEIR OWN
SCHOOLS.
THEY WERE TREATED DIFFERENTLY
THAN WHITE STUDENTS.
THEY FEARED HAVING THE BEHIND
THE SCENES LABELS WOULD
PERPETUATE KIND OF THE CONSCIOUS
BIASES.
YOU CAN IMAGINE FOR INCOMING 9TH
GRADERS, FIRST THING YOU SEE
ABOUT A STUDENT I AM MODERATELY
LOW RISK.
>> ALL RIGHT.
TODD FEATHERS, REALLY
COMPLICATED AND INTERESTING
REPORTING.
THANKS VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN.
>> FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER
ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN VISIT
PBSWISCONSIN.ORG.
CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.
JOIN US NEXT WEEK ON WHAT TO
EXPECT FROM TICKS AND LYME
DISEASE THIS SEASON.
THAT IS OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.
I AM FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.
?