>> PRESENTATION OF "HERE & NOW"
IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE
ANIMAL DENTISTRY AND ORAL
SURGERY SPECIALISTS OF MILWAUKEE
AND OSHKOSH, A VETERINARY TEAM
WORKING WITH PET OWNERS AND
FAMILY VETERINARIANS THROUGHOUT
WISCONSIN, PROVIDING CARE FOR
ORAL DISEASE AND DENTAL PROBLEMS
OF SMALL COMPANION ANIMALS.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR "HERE &
NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE LE
PHILLIPS FAMILY FOUNDATION.
>> I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
AN EDUCATION-THEME PROGRAM
TONIGHT STARTING WITH A LOOK AT
THE NEW SCHOOL REFORM PROPOSAL
IN THE LEGISLATURE.
STATE SUPERINTENDENT TONY EVERS
IS HERE, AS IS THE CURRENT
MILWAUKEE SUPERINTENDENT,
WILLIAM ANDREKOPOULOS.
LATER WE GO TO THE UW-STOUT.
THAT'S WHERE THE CHANCELLOR SAYS
IHE PLANS TO CRACK DOWN ON
STUDENT DRINKING.
BUT FIRST REFORMING SCHOOLS IN
MILWAUKEE AND THE STATE TO HELP
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.
A BILL PASSED THURSDAY AND HEADS
TO THE ASSEMBLY.
THE MEASURE REQUIRES SCHOOL
BOARDS TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE
AND GIVES THE STATE
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION MORE POWERS TO TURN
AROUND FAILING SCHOOLS.
SPECIFICALLY, IF THE STATE
SUPERINTENDENT DETERMINES A
SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN
IDENTIFIED IN NEED OF IMPROVE
THE, THE LOCALIMPROVEMENT, THE LOCAL SCHOOL
BOARD WOULD BE REQUIRED TO
CHANGE CURRICULUM, MEET
INDIVIDUAL PUPIL NEEDS, DO EARLY
INTERVENTION FOR PUPILS.
WISCONSIN SUPERINTENDENT OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TONY EVERS
WANTS THE LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT
THIS PLAN.
HE JOINS US NOW.
>>.AFTER TICKING THROUGH SOME OF
THE PRONGS OF THIS LEGISLATION,
IT MAKES YOU THINK AREN'T
SCHOOLS ALREADY DOING THIS STUFF
AND IF NOT, WHY NOT?
>> THESE ARE ALL CLEARLY GOOD
PRACTICES TO TURN AROUND
STRUGGLING SCHOOLS, ANY SCHOOL,
FRANKLY.
BUT IN ORDER TO KIND OF PUT THE
FOCUS ON OUR EFFORTS FROM THE
STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL, IT IS
NECESSARY TO INCORPORATE THIS
INTO STATE STATUTE TO COMPEL AND
TO WORK WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN
A REAL COLLABORATIVE WAY TO MAKE
THESE THINGS HAPPEN.
>> AND TO GIVE YOU THAT
AUTHORITY.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST STICK THIS
LEGISLATION AFORWARDS YOU?
>>YOU --
AFFORDS YOU?
>> IT ALLOWS THE STATE
SUPERINTENDENT TO DO SEVERAL
THINGS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL
STRUGGLING SCHOOLS AROUND
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AROUND
INCREASING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S
WORK AROUND TEACHER EVALUATION
AND PRINCIPAL EVALUATION, SOME
REALLY KEY THINGS THAT ARE
IMPORTANT TO STUDENT LEARNING.
>> DOES IT ALLOW MAKING TEACHERS
ACCOUNTABLE FOR STUDENT OUTCOMES
AND ACHIEVEMENT?
WE KNOW THAT WORD ACCOUNTABLE
MEANS CAN THEY BE FIRED?
>> WELL, RIGHT NOW TEACHERS CAN
BE FIRED.
BUT UNDER THE LAW THE CHANGES
THAT WILL BE MADE WOULD BE IN
CERTAIN SCHOOLS THAT ARE REALLY
STRUGGLING, THE DISTRICT WOULD
BE COMPELLED TO HAVE ANNUAL
EVALUATIONS WITH MULTIPLE RATING
CRITERIA THAT ARE TRANSPARENT
THAT ALSO INCLUDE A
DISCUSSION -- SIGNIFICANT
DISCUSSION ABOUT PUPIL
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE.
SO THAT IS PART OF BOTH
PRINCIPAL AND TEACHER
EVALUATIONS UNDER THIS PLAN WITH
THE SCHOOLS.
>> NOW, WE ARE ABOUT TO SPEAK TO
MPS SUPERINTENDENT
ANDREKOPOULOS, WHO SAYS HE IS
NOT HAPPY, REALLY VERY NOT HAPPY
WITH LANGUAGE IN THE LEGISLATION
THAT ALLOWS TEACHERS TO USE MID
MITIGATING FACTORS LIKE LACK OF
PREP TIME OR CLASS SIZE WHEN
EVALUATING ACHIEVEMENT.
HE SAYS THESE MITIGATORS DO
NOTHING TO HELP THE CHILDREN OF
MPS.
WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?
>> ONE IS HIS SUCCESSOR,
DR. THORNTON, WAS INVOLVED WITH
THE DISCUSSIONS AROUND CREATING
THIS LEGISLATION, AS WAS BOARD
PRESIDENT BONDS.
SO IN ANY LEGISLATION THERE IS
ALWAYS COMPROMISES.
BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS
THESE MITIGATING FACTORS AND
WHAT TEACHERS HAVE REGARDING
SUPPORTING THEIR WORK IN THE
CLASSROOM IS IMPORTANT.
THE IDEA THAT THE ONLY PERSON
INVOLVED IN IMPROVING STUDENT
LEARNING IS THE CLASSROOM
TEACHER IS NOT AN ACCURATE
STATEMENT.
THIS IS THE DISTRICT'S AND THE
PRINCIPALS NEED TO HAVE
SUPPORTIVE FACTORS AND REFORMS
IN THE CLASSROOM TO HELP
TEACHERS MOVE FORWARD.
>> HELP US UNDERSTAND WHY THIS
LEGISLATION IS EMBRACED BY THE
TEACHERS' UNION IN A MORE
MEASURABLE WAY THAN THE ORIGINAL
APPLICATION FOR THE RACE TO THE
TOP WAS, WHERE YOU REALLY DIDN'T
GET THAT KIND OF WHITE OF WIDESPREAD
SUPPORT.
>> WEAC AND MILWAUKEE TEACHERS'
UNION HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF
THIS LEGISLATION.
THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH HELPING
CRAFT IT.
WHEN WE GOT TOGETHER, EVERY PART
OF THE COMPROMISE FORCED PEOPLE
TO STRETCH AND IT FORCED THE
TEACHERS TO STRETCH AND IT
FORCED THE ADMINISTRATION AND
THE SCHOOL BOARD TO STRETCH AND
THAT'S PART OF HOW THE SYSTEM
WORKS.
OUR DEMOCRACY WORKS, IS MOVING
PEOPLE FORWARD.
I THINK THE TEACHERS BOTH
LOCALLY AND AT THE STATE LEVEL
VIEW THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
HAVE -- TO CREATE FAIR,
TRANSPARENT EVALUATION SYSTEMS
THAT HOLD ALL PEOPLE INVOLVED
ACCOUNTABLE.
AND ACCOUNTABILITY IS REALLY
IMPORTANT IN THIS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WELL, THERE ARE POCKETS OF
OPPOSITION OTHER THAN THE
CURRENT SUPERINTENDENT NOT
EMBRACING THIS CHANGE.
CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY EDUCATION
REFORM COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE
ANNETTE POLY WEU KWRUPLS POLY POLL WILLIAMS SAYS IT
LIMITS REFORM IN SCHOOLS.
>> I WOULD RESPECTFULLY
DISAGREE.
THE SUBSEQUENT SUPERINTENDENT,
DR. THORNTON, WAS INVOLVED WITH
THESE DISCUSSIONS AND HE
UNDERSTANDS THE ISSUES.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AROUND
THIS LEGISLATION IS IT MAKES THE
STATE A FULL PARTNER IN TURNING
AROUND STRUGGLING SCHOOLS AND IT
ALLOWS THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT
AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION TO WORK WITH THE
SCHOOL BOARD, TO WORK WITH THE
INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS TO IMPROVE
STUDENT LEARNING.
CERTAINLY ANY LEGISLATION
THERE'S GOING TO BE BITS AND
PIECES PEOPLE DISAGREE WITH.
BUT THIS LEGISLATION IS A GOOD
COMPROMISE.
IT HAS HAD GOOD INPUT AND GOOD
DIALOGUE.
AND WE'LL JUST SEE HOW IT PLAYS
OUT.
>> HOW MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE
MIGHT IT MAKE US TOWARD OUR
SECOND APPLICATION FOR RACE TO
THE TOP FUNDING FROM THE FEDS?
>> I THINK IT WILL MAKE US MORE
COMPETITIVE.
THIS ISSUE WAS NEVER AROUND RACE
TO THE TOP.
IT WAS AROUND TURNING AROUND
STRUGGLING SCHOOLS IN OUR
STATE'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT.
BUT THE OTHER BONUS IS THAT I
BELIEVE IT ABSOLUTELY WILL MAKE
US MORE COMPETITIVE.
>> IF WE DO NOT GET THOSE FUNDS,
I MEAN, WHAT IS THE PRICE TAG ON
THIS LEGISLATION?
>> THERE'S NO FISCAL IMPACT OF
THIS LEGISLATION.
THE FISCAL IMPACT ON RACE TO THE
TOP IS SIGNIFICANT.
$250 MILLION, APPROXIMATELY.
BUT THE FISCAL IMPACT OF THIS
PARTICULAR LEGISLATION IS --
THERE IS NONE.
RIGHT NOW WE USE FEDERAL FUNDS
AND WE PROVIDE MILWAUKEE WITH
FEDERAL FUNDS ALREADY TO TURN
AROUND STRGLING SCHOOLS.
THIS WILL USE IT IN A MORE
FOCUSED AND DIRECT WAY.
>> THIS HAS PASSED THE SENATE,
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY.
WHAT DO YOU GIVE ITS ODDS IN THE
ASSEMBLY?
>> I THINK THE ODDS ARE GOOD.
IT'S ALWAYS -- I'M NOT A
POLITICIAN, SO IT'S HARD FOR ME
TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS
OBJECTIVELY, BUT I BELIEVE IT
WILL PASS.
BUT IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT.
WE'LL BE COUNTING VOTES ON THIS.
>> AND IF IT DOESN'T PASS?
>> WE'LL MOVE FORWARD.
ONE OF THE OTHER BONUSES OF THIS
LEGISLATION, IT GIVES THE STATE
SUPERINTENDENT AUTHORITY TO
LEVERAGE CHANGE IN A POSITIVE
WAY, WHEREAS RIGHT NOW MY ONLY
AUTHORITY IS AROUND LEVERAGING
WITHHOLDING MONEY, WHICH FRANKLY
ISN'T A PARTICULARLY POSITIVE
ASPECT OF MAKING CHANGE.
AND WHEN YOU TAKE FUNDS AWAY
FROM A DISTRICT THAT'S ALREADY
STRUGGLING, IT DOESN'T MAKE MUCH
SENSE.
SO THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW THE
STATE SUPERINTENDENT, WHETHER
IT'S ME OR SOMEONE ELSE, TO
LEVERAGE DIFFERENT AUTHORITY.
>> ALL RIGHT.
TONY EVERS, THANKS VERY MUCH.
>> GREAT.
THANK YOU.
>> FOR SOME IN WISCONSIN, THE
WORDS EDUCATION REFORM LEAD
DIRECTLY TO THE CITY OF
MILWAUKEE.
THE CITY HAS BECOME A POLITICAL
PUNCHING BAG WHEN IT COMES TO
SCHOOL POLICY WITH EVERYONE FROM
THE CURRENT GOVERNOR TO THOSE
WHO WANT TO BE GOVERNOR WANTING
TO TAKE SHOTS.
THE MAN WHO'S BEEN AT THE CENTER
OF THAT BOXING RING IS THE SOON
TO BE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF
MILWAUKEE SCHOOLS, WILLIAM
ANDREKOPOULOS, WHO JOINS US NOW.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING
SO.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON.
THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.
>> WELL, I WANTED TO ASK YOUR
OPINION, FIRST OF ALL, OF THE
SCHOOL REFORM BILL THAT IS
CURRENTLY BEFORE THE
LEGISLATURE.
>> THE ONE THING THAT I REALLY
LIKE ABOUT THE BILL IS THE PART
ABOUT THE TENURE.
I THINK THAT EVERY PRINCIPAL IN
THE CITY -- IN THE STATE HAS A
TWO-YEAR CONTRACT WITH THEIR
BOARD EXCEPT FOR THE PRINCIPALS
IN MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
I THINK IN ORDER TO RAISE THE
DIGNITY OF THE PROFESSION, THEY
SHOULD HAVE TWO-YEAR CONTRACTS
JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER
PRINCIPALS IN THE STATE.
I THINK THIS WILL HOLD THEM
ACCOUNTABLE, BUT ALSO CREATE
BETTER RESULTS FOR OUR CHILDREN.
IT ALSO WILL HELP IN A WHOLE
ARRAY OF HUMAN CAPITAL ISSUES
WITH TEACHER QUALITY.
SO THAT IS PROBABLY -- WHEN I
LOOK BACK AT MY 38 YEARS IN THE
DISTRICT, I PROBABLY HAVE TO GO
BACK ABOUT 28 YEARS TO SOMETHING
THAT WAS DONE UNDER HOWARD
FULLER'S ADMINISTRATION TO
ACTUALLY SAY THAT WAS SOMETHING
THAT WAS SIGNIFICANT.
SO IF WE CAN GET THE TENURE LAW
CHANGED, THAT WILL SIGNIFICANTLY
DISRUPT THE STATUS QUO OF OUR
DISTRICT.
>> BECAUSE WHAT IS HAPPENING
CURRENTLY WITH THE TENURE?
>> CURRENTLY OUR PRINCIPALS AND
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS HAVE
LIFETIME TENURE AFTER FOUR
YEARS.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY
DIFFICULT IF YOU HAVE A POOR
REFORMER AFTER FOUR YEARS TO
REMOVE THEM FROM THEIR
PROFESSION.
OUR PRINCIPALS ARE HARD-WORKING
INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED THE SAME
RESPECT THAT OTHER PRINCIPALS
GET AROUND THE STATE AND HAVE A
CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH
THEIR SCHOOL BOARDS.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING ON
AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.
THEN YOU HAVE SOME ROOM FOR PAY
FOR PERFORMANCE.
YOU HAVE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU
CAN DO.
SO THAT'S PART OF THE LAW AND
THE CHANGE THAT I LIKE.
THE TENURE REALLY IS NOT EVEN IN
STATE LAW.
IT REALLY IS ONLY UP TO OUR
SCHOOL BOARD TO GRANT TENURE
THROUGH THEIR POLICY.
SO STATE LAW WOULD NOT EVEN
REQUIRE US TO GIVE TENURE.
SO THAT'S ANOTHER MISNOMER.
>> OTHER THAN THAT ISSUE, IF YOU
HAD YOUR WAY, IF YOU COULD DO
WHATEVER YOU WANTED WITH THE
MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WHAT
KIND OF REFORM WOULD YOU IMPOSE?
>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I WOULD
CONTINUE DOING THE THINGS THAT
WE'RE DOING.
WE STARTED REFORM EFFORT EIGHT
YEARS AGO.
THAT WAS BILLED TO LAST OVER A
PERIOD OF TIME.
WE HAD A DECENTRALIZED SCHOOL
DISTRICT THAT PRETTY SCATTERED.
WE ARE NOW MORE FOCUSED ON
STRATEGICALLY ON SYSTEMIC WAYS
OF IMPROVING ACADEMIC
ACHIEVEMENT.
IT'S TAKEN A LONG TIME TO BEGIN
TO HERD CATS AND GET PEOPLE
MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
IF YOU LOOK AT OUR MATH SCORES,
THEY'VE GONE UP BETWEEN 15% AND
18%.
WE'VE HAD DOUBLE-DIGIT INCREASES
IN A COUPLE OF THE GRADE LEVELS.
SUSPENSION RATE IS DOWN 20%.
ATTENDANCE RATE IS UP 5%.
WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS IN
OUPBONE AREA, THAT'S ON TEACHER
QUALITY.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN OUR
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
THAT I'D LIKE CHANGED IN ORDER
FOR US TO DO THAT.
BUT WHEN I LOOK AT THE -- THIS
WHOLE SCHOOL REFORM PACKAGE
THAT'S BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE,
I'M APPALLED AT ONE SECTION IN
PARTICULAR AND THAT'S THE
SECTION THAT SAYS THAT UNDER
CERTAIN MITIGATING THINGS THAT
THEY'RE HAPPENING, WE CAN HOLD
TEACHERS ACCOUNTABLE.
I THINK MAKING EXCUSES FOR THE
ADULTS IN THIS REGARD REALLY IS
A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM, WHETHER IT'S
IN THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE OR
WHETHER IT'S IN THE STATE, OF
HAVING SUCH DISRESPECT FOR
CHILDREN OF COLOR, CHILDREN IN
POVERTY, TO SAY THAT YOU'RE
GOING TO EXCUSE TEACHERS IF THEY
DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PLANNING TIME,
THEY'RE GOING TO EXCUSE TEACHERS
IF THEY DON'T HAVE A
PARAPROFESSIONAL, IF THEY HAVE
INSUFFICIENT RESOURCES, EXCUSE
TEACHERS OF HIGH CLASS SIZE F.
THOSE ARE EXCUSES FOR KIDS NOT
TO LEARN, WE'RE IN BAD SHAPE FOR
EXPECTATIONINGS FOR OUR
CHILDREN.
THAT'S THE PART I FIND
APPALLING.
I FIND IT RACIST.
IF THERE WAS A DOCUMENT AROUND
CHILDREN IN SUBURBAN AMERICA
THAT WERE WHITE AND POOR, YOU
WOULD NEVER FIND MITIGATING
RESULTS LIKE THESE IN A DOCUMENT
AS EXCUSES WHY KIDS CAN'T LEARN.
AS FAR AS THE OTHER THINGS ABOUT
CONSISTENT CURRICULUM,
INTERVENING SERVICES, THOSE ARE
ALL THE TYPES OF THINGS WE
BELIEVE ARE IN THE BEST
INTERESTS OF THE CHILD.
WE HAVE WORKED WITH DPI OVER THE
YEARS ON THOSE THINGS.
>> DO YOU WISH THAT MORE
TEACHERS COULD BE FIRED?
>> WELL, IF TEACHERS,
PRINCIPALS, CENTRAL OFFICE
PEOPLE ARE INCOMPETENT, THEN
THEY SHOULD BE FIRED.
I BELIEVE IN DUE PROCESS AND NOT
BEING ARBITRARY AND CAPRICIOUS.
BUT I BELIEVE GIVING PEOPLE
LIFE-LONG TENURE IS NOT IN THE
BEST INTERESTS OF OUR CHILDREN.
WE'RE SEEING TRENDS THAT TENURE
LAWS ARE BEING LOOKED AT.
OHIO NOW HAS A SEVEN-YEAR TENURE
LAW.
SO THERE ARE STATES THAT HAVE
THE COURAGE TO REALLY STAND UP
WHAT'S BEST FOR CHILDREN.
CERTAINLY YOU WANT TO BE FAIR TO
YOUR EMPLOYEES.
YOU DON'T WANT TO BE ARBITRARY
AND CAPRICIOUS.
BUT TENURE LAWS, SENIORITY LAWS,
THESE WERE DONE IN THE
BABYBOOMER GENERATION.
THOSE GENERATIONS ARE MOVING OUT
OF THE ORGANIZATION.
THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS DON'T
WANT THAT TYPE OF SECURITY.
THEY WANT THEIR JOB BASED ON
THEIR PERFORMANCE.
>> WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE TO THE
INCOMING SUPERINTENDENT?
>> MY ADVICE TO THE INCOMING
SUPERINTENDENT IS TO RATCHET UP
ACCOUNTABILITY.
WE HAVE TAKEN THE DISTRICT TO A
POINT THAT THE NEXT STEP IN OUR
MOVEMENT AND BUILDING CAPACITY
IS INCREASING CAPACITY AROUND
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR STUDENT
OUTCOMES.
THAT'S FOR PEOPLE THAT WORK AT
THE CENTRAL OFFICE.
THAT'S FOR PEOPLE THAT WORK IN
THE SCHOOLS.
WE NEED TO LINK OUTCOMES TO
THEIR PERFORMANCE.
IN OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND
THROUGHOUT AMERICA, WE'VE HELD
PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE TO PROCESS,
BUT THAT ISN'T ENOUGH TO RAISE
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.
SO I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, I'M GLAD TO
SEE THAT THE STATE, I'M GLAD TO
SEE THAT PEOPLE AROUND THE
COUNTRY ARE FOCUSING IN ON
STUDENT OUTCOMES AND HOW DO WE
HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR
THAT.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT RAISES
EYEBROWS.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO
CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO AND I
BELIEVE HELP IMPROVE THE
PERFORMANCE OF OUR CHILDREN,
ALONG WITH FOCUSING IN ON
INCREASED QUALITY IN THE
CLASSROOM, QUALITY INSTRUCTION.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WILL
DO IT, NOT ALL THESE OTHER MYTHS
THAT WILL IMPROVE ACADEMIC
ACHIEVEMENT.
>> ALL RIGHT.
SUPERINTENDENT ANDREKOPOULOS,
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE LEAVE MILWAUKEE AND THE
KINDERGARTEN CROWD NOW AND HEAD
TO MENOMINEE FOR EDUCATION
REFORM OF ANOTHER SORT.
THE FIGHT TO CUT DOWN STUDENT
DRINKING AT ONE UW CAMPUS.
THE UW-STOUT CHANCELLOR HAS HAD
IT WITH HARD-PARTYING STUDENTS
AND IS TAKING A HARDLINE
APPROACH.
CHANCELLOR CHARLES SORENSON
JOINS US NOW FROM UW-STOUT.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR DOING SO.
>> THANK YOU.
>> I'D LIKE TO ASK, WHAT WAS THE
TIPPING POINT FOR YOU?
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO ACT?
>> THE TIPPING POINT, WE'VE BEEN
AWARE OF THIS FOR A LONG TIME,
WE HAVE HAD IN PLACE FOR WELL
OVER A DOZEN YEARS A VERY STRONG
PROGRAM, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, WE
SOCIAL NORM HERE A LOT.
THAT'S BEEN EFFECTIVE IN SOME
POPULATIONS.
BUT WE'VE HAD SEVEN STUDENT
DEATHS THE LAST TWO YEARS.
AND THAT BECAME THE TIPPING
POINT, SAYING HOW DO WE CREATE A
BETTER AWARENESS OF ABUSE OF
DRINKING IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
>> SEVEN STUDENT DEATHS
ATTRIBUTED TO STUDENT DRINKING.
>> YES.
>> WHAT ARE OTHER EXAMPLES OF
EFFECTS ON CAMPUS DUE TO
DRINKING?
>> WELL, THEY'RE ALL NEGATIVE,
QUITE FRANKLY.
EVERY ASSAULT CASE I'VE LOOKED
AT SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE FOR OVER
20 YEARS HAS BEEN
ALCOHOL-RELATED.
YOU SEE MORE ABSENTEEISM, MORE
FAILING GRADES, EVEN ABUSE
AGAINST ONE ANOTHER.
WE HAD A MUGGING ON THE STREET
NOT ONLY TWO WEEKS AGO.
TWO STUDENTS BEAT UP A LOCAL
RESIDENT WHILE INEBRIATED.
A LOT OF EFFECTS LIKE THAT THAT
STAY BELOW THE SURFACE, BUT
THEY'RE THERE.
AND THEY'RE ALL NEGATIVE.
>> WHAT SPECIFIC STEPS THEN ARE
YOU TAKING TO ADDRESS THIS?
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I'VE
CHARGED THE ALCOHOL AND DRUG
ABUSE COMMITTEE LED BY THE DEAN
OF STUDENTS, JOAN THOMAS, TO
COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO PUT
THIS -- A PLAN WILL BE PUT IN
PLACE BY FALL OF 2010.
IT WILL INCLUDE MAINTAINING OUR
VERY STRONG SOCIAL NORMING
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.
IT WILL INCLUDE WORKING WITH THE
CITY ON WHAT -- HOW THEY CAN
HELP US ON CONTROLLING UNDERAGE
DRINKING OR DRINKING, PERIOD.
IT WILL INCLUDE BETTER A RAY ARRAY OF
FRIDAY CLASSES TO HELP STEM
THURSDAYS.
IT WILL ENCOURAGES A ENCOURAGE A LOT OF
APPROACHES TO THIS.
WE'RE NOT SAYING QUIT DRINKING.
WE'RE SAYING QUIT ABUSING DRINK
AND MAINTAIN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
FOR ALL STUDENTS ON CAMPUS.
>> NOW, YOU SUGGESTED SOMETHING
ABOUT THIRSTY THURSDAY.
THIS IS WHEREBY KIDS START THE
WEEKEND AND THEIR DRINKING ON
THURSDAY NIGHT BECAUSE THEY
DON'T HAVE CLASSES ON FRIDAY AND
YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE
ARE CLASSES ON FRIDAY?
>> YEAH.
EXACTLY RIGHT.
WE ALWAYS HAVE HAD CLASSES ON
FRIDAY.
WE HAVE FEWER THAN WE HAVE THE
OTHER FOUR DAYS OF THE WEEK.
SO WE WANT TO HAVE A HEALTHIER
ARRAY OF CLASSES, FOR TWO
REASONS.
ONE, SIMPLY MAKE BETTER USE OF
OUR FACILITIES AND GIVE STUDENTS
A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO GRADUATE
IN FOUR YEARS.
BUT THE OTHER IMPACT IS CURBING
EXCESSIVE DRINKING ON THURSDAY
NIGHT.
>> NOW, YOU ALSO GO SO FAR AS TO
SAY THAT YOU WOULD BE SUSPENDING
STUDENTS IF THEY HAVE A SERIES
OF INFRACTIONS HAVING TO DO WITH
UNDERAGE DRINKING OR ABUSIVE
DRINKING.
>> RIGHT.
PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE
PROGRAM WILL BE LOOKING AT
BETTER ENFORCING OUR POLICIES
AGAINST STUDENTS THAT REALLY
ABUSE THIS CONSISTENTLY.
WE HAVE MORE AUTHORITY NOW
BECAUSE THE BOARD OF REGENTS
MODIFIED ADMINISTRATIVE CHAPTER
17 SO WE HAVE MORE AUTHORITY
OVER BEHAVIOR ON CAMPUS.
WE BELIEVE IF A STUDENT
CONSISTENTLY ABUSES ALCOHOL OR
CONSISTENTLY GETS UNDERAGE
CITATIONS, WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO
EXPEL.
WE HAVE DONE THAT.
WE'LL ENFORCE THAT MORE RIGIDLY.
>> CHANCELLOR, YOU TALKED ABOUT
HOW YOU'D BE WORKING WITH THE
CITY.
WOULD THAT BE TO CURB HOUSE
PARTIES THAT ARE GOING ON OFF
CAMPUS BUT AS WELL TO GET AT
DRINK SPECIALS THAT ATTRACT
STUDENTS?
>> WELL, I HAVE ALREADY COME OUT
AGAINST DRINK SPECIALS.
I THINK WE SHOULD CURB THOSE.
WE HAVE TALKED TO THE TAVERN
LEAGUE.
THERE'S NOT GREAT SUPPORT FOR
THAT.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY'RE
COOPERATIVE.
THEY WANT TO HELP CURB EXCESSIVE
DRINKING.
WE WANT TO TALK TO THE NEW MAYOR
AND THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT HOW
CAN THEY HELP ON HOUSE PARTIES.
WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE MORE
SUPPORT FOR HOUSE BUSTS AND THEN
REALLY USE OUR POLICIES TO
ENFORCE THINGS LIKE EXPULSION
FOR THOSE WHO SPONSOR THESE
PARTIES WHO ARE THE STUDENTS,
ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE
UNDERAGE DRINKING GOING ON.
>> WELL, OTHER CAMPUSES HAVE NOT
TO MY KNOWLEDGE COME FORWARD
WITH SUCH HARDLINE MEASURES AND
SUCH CLEAR MEASURES AGAINST
ALCOHOL.
HOW ALONE IN THE WOODS DO YOU
FEEL ON THIS?
>> I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY, BUT I
THINK WE ARE COMMITTED TO THIS.
THE CONTEXT IS MUCH BROADER TOO.
I MUST SAY THAT WE ARE TRYING TO
BUILD A VERY DISTINGUISHED
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, AND WE
HAVE GREAT JOB PLACEMENT RATES.
WE HAVE FINE PROGRAMS HERE.
WE HAVE A DEVELOPING HONORS
PROGRAM.
WE HAVE A GREAT DISCOVERY CENTER
HERE.
AND I DON'T WANT THAT TO
DISTRACT -- I DON'T WANT TO
DISTRACT THIS BY EXCESSIVE
DRINKING.
WE HAVE TO RID OURSELVES OF THE
PARTY IMAGE.
WE WANT STUDENTS TO COME HERE
FOR ONE REASON ONLY, BECAUSE
THEY HAVE A GREAT EDUCATIONAL
EXPERIENCE.
I'M DEDICATED TO THAT END AND
WE'LL WORK HARD ON THAT.
>> ALL RIGHT.
CHANCELLOR SORENSON, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE PUSH IS ON IN THE FINAL
DAYS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
AT THE STATE CAPITOL.
THERE'S A LOT GOING ON, BUT
TONIGHT IN OUR MONTHLY "END
INSIGHT," WE FOCUS IN ON A FEW
OF THEM.
SHAWN JOHNSON IS HERE TO TALK
ABOUT IT.
NOW, YOU WERE UP THERE ALL
NIGHT, ALL MORNING LONG, GOT OUT
OF THERE ABOUT 5:00 IN THE
MORNING.
ONE QUESTION.
WHY DO THEY DO THEIR BUSINESS
THIS WAY?
>> I DON'T KNOW.
IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER WHICH
PARTY IS IN CONTROL.
EVERYTHING GETS LEFT TO THE LAST
MINUTE.
SOME OF IT HAS TO DO WITH JUST
KIND OF KEEPING EVERYBODY IN
THERE WHEN YOU HAVE THEIR VOTES.
I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WISH IT
WOULD CHANGE.
>> ONE OF THE REAL BIG THINGS
OUT THERE IS THE CLEAN ENERGY
JOBS ACT.
WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT?
>> I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THIS
IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST BILLS OUT
THERE THIS SESSION AND ONE OF
THE BIGGEST UNRESOLVED ISSUE AT
THE END OF SESSION.
THE BASIC IDEA WAS TO SET A
BENCHMARK OF 25% OF THE STATE'S
ENERGY HAVING COME FROM
RENEWABLE SOURCES BY 2025.
THE NEWS THIS WEEK IS THAT A
SCALED-BACK VERSION PASSED
COMMITTEE.
IT MAY BE EASIER TO GET TO THAT
25% BENCHMARK BECAUSE YOU NO
LONGER HAVE TO GET IT ALL FROM
RENEWABLES.
YOU COULD GET IT FROM
EFFICIENCIES.
SO THAT'S DESIGNED TO MAKE IT
MORE APPEALING, MORE PALATABLE
TO BUSINESSES AND MAKE THE
NUMBERS LOOK BETTER IN A SENSE.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT THE TWO SIDES ARE GOING TO
BE GOING BACK AND FORTH ON IN
THIS LAST WEEK, IS WHAT WILL
THIS MEAN TO UTILITY RATE
PAYORS, WHAT WILL IT MEAN IN
TERMS OF JOBS.
SPENCER BLACK SAID IF YOU LOOK
AT IT GOING FORWARD, ASSUMING
THAT SOMEDAY THERE'S GOING TO BE
A COST ON CARBON OR THAT THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO
REGULATE GREENHOUSE GASES, A
BILL LIKE THIS MAKES A LOT OF
SENSE FOR WISCONSIN.
>> CARBON HAS A COST, AND THAT
COST WILL INCREASE IN TIME, AND
THIS BILL WILL HELP STABILIZE
RATES IN WISCONSIN.
>> AND ACCORDING TO A NEW PSC
STUDY THAT CAME OUT THIS WEEK,
WISCONSIN ACTUALLY COMES OUT
WELL WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S THAT
COST IN CARBON; THAT IS, RATE
PAYORS COME OUT AHEAD ON THIS
BILL.
>> NO WITHSTANDING THERE IS STILL OPPOSITION,
THE BUSINESS LOBBY AND STATE OF
WISCONSIN AS WELL AS REPUBLICANS
WHO WORRY ABOUT THESE ADDED
COSTS.
WE TALKED WITH DIRECTOR OF
ENERGY SERVICES FOR NEW PAGE
PAPER UP IN WISCONSIN RAPIDS,
AND HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE
GOVERNOR'S GLOBAL WARMING TASK
FORCE, WAS OPPOSED THEN.
HE CONTINUES HIS OPPOSITION TO
THIS.
HE TOLD US THIS.
HE SAID WE OPERATE IN SIX
STATES, AND IF THERE ARE COST
INCREASES HAPPENING DUE TO
LEGISLATION EXCLUSIVE TO
WISCONSIN, WE WILL SERIOUSLY
LOOK AT MOVING THOSE PAPER
ORDERS TO STATES WHERE IT IS
LESS COSTLY.
SO THOSE ARE PRETTY HARSH WORDS
REALLY FROM A MAJOR EMPLOYER,
NEW PAGE EMPLOYS MORE THAN 2300
IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
THEIR ENERGY BILLS ARE
ASTOUNDING.
THEY PAY MORE THAN $6 MILLION IN
ELECTRICITY EACH AND EVERY
MONTH.
NOW, TOM SHARFF, WHO WE GOT THAT
STATEMENT FROM, SAYS IT'S NOT
JUST HIS COMPANY.
IT'S AN INDUSTRY-WIDE CONCERN
OVER THIS PARTICULAR BILL.
NOW, THERE'S ANOTHER THING OUT
THERE THAT WE'VE BEEN TRACKING
AND WATCHING, BADGERCARE PLUS,
BADGERCARE BASIC, AND THAT IS
FOR THE PEOPLE ON THE WAITING
LIST FOR THAT BADGERCARE PLUS
CORE.
THAT IS FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T
HAVE CHILDREN, BUT ARE OF A
CERTAIN INCOME LEVEL.
WE WONDERED WHAT WAS GOING ON
WITH THAT.
YOU MIGHT RECALL WITH WHAT THE
SECRETARY OF HEALTH SERVICES
TOLD US ON THIS PROGRAM A COUPLE
OF WEEKS AGO.
>> WHAT'S THE LIKELIHOOD,
THOUGH, OF THAT BADGERCARE PLUS
BASIC PASSING THIS SESSION AND
GETTING TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK?
>> I'M OPTIMISTIC THAT IT IS
GOING TO PASS.
WHAT MEMBERS OF OUR LEGISLATURE
UNDERSTAND IS THAT IN WISCONSIN
UNDER GOVERNOR DOYLE'S
LEADERSHIP WE'VE HAD THIS
TRADITION OF TAKING STEP BY
STEP, DOING WHAT WE CAN DO,
BUILDING ON OUR EXISTING
PROGRAMS TO EXTEND COVERAGE TO
AS MANY PEOPLE IN OUR STATE AS
POSSIBLE.
>> WELL, WE HAVE JUST LEARNED
THAT THE ASSEMBLY PUT THIS ON
THEIR CALENDAR FOR NEXT TUESDAY,
SO IT WOULD APPEAR THAT IT IS
GOING TO BE VOTED ON AND PASSED
OUT.
SO BADGERCARE BASIC LOOKS LIKE
IT'S GOOD TO GO.
IT'S BEEN REGARDS AS ONE OF
GOVERNOR JIM DOYLE'S LAST BABIES
IN THE NURSERY.
SO IT LOOKS LIKE HIS MAJORITY IS
GOING TO GET THAT DONE FOR HIM.
THERE'S A BUNCH OF OTHER STUFF
OUT THERE.
>> IT'S JUST A HUGE LIST OF
UNRESOLVED BUSINESS OVER THE
NEXT WEEK, WHICH IS THE LAST
WEEK OF THIS LEGISLATIVE
SESSION.
AND, YOU KNOW, JUST IN THE PAST
WEEK, THE ASSEMBLY AND SENATE
WERE VERY BUSY.
THEY PASSED SOME BILLS THAT
WOULD -- THEY BOTH PASSED BILLS
THAT WOULD EXPAND THE NUMBER OF
TAX CREDITS TO CREATE JOBS.
THE SENATE PASSED A BILL THAT
WOULD FOR THE FIRST TIME
REGULATE -- IT SET UP A TWO-YEAR
REGULATORY SYSTEM FOR RAW MILK
IN WISCONSIN.
>> SO IT COULD BE SOLD LEGALLY.
>> ON THE FARM.
BUT THERE'S A LOT OF UNRESOLVED
BUSINESS.
THERE'S THE QUESTION OF WHAT
LAWMAKERS ARE GOING TO DO WITH A
MAJOR PAYDAY LENDING BILL,
WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO AGREE
TO ANYTHING ON THAT.
THERE'S ALSO A MAJOR PACKAGE
THAT WOULD CHANGE THE WAY PEOPLE
REGISTER TO VOTE AND VOTE IN
WISCONSIN.
THAT'S TURNED INTO A VERY
PARTISAN ISSUE.
REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHAT WILL
HAPPEN THERE.
>> NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY'RE GOING
TO KEEP YOU UP FOR LONG HOURS
NEXT WEEK TOO.
>> IT'S LIKELY.
>> SHAUN, THANKS VERY MUCH.
BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU, THE MAN WHO
WAS THINKING OF BECOMING A
CANDIDATE END SAID THE ENDED THE SUSPENSE
THURSDAY.
TOMMY THOMPSON WILL NOT R
AGAINST FEINGOLD THIS YEAR.
HE SAID HE MADE UP HIS MIND THIS
WEEK.
THOMPSON MADE HIS ANNOUNCEMENT
AT A TEA PARTY RALLY ATTENDED BY
THOUSANDS.
NEXT WEEK PETER LEIDY RETURNS.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
CAPTIONS PRODUCED BY
RIVERSIDE CAPTIONING COMPANY
WWW.CLOSED-CAPTIONING.COM
>> PRESENTATION OF HERE AND NOW
IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE
ANIMAL DENTAL CENTER OF
MILWAUKEE AND OSHKOSH, A
VETERINARY SPECIALISTS WORKING
WITH PET OWNERS AND FAMILY
VETERINARIANS THROUGHOUT
WISCONSIN, PROVIDING CARE FOR
ORAL DISEASE AND DENTAL PROBLEMS
OF FOR SMALL COMPANION ANIMALS.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR H&N IS
PROVIDED BY THE LE PHILLIPS
FAMILY FOUNDATION