2021 Legislative Conference
The conference was moved to an online format. All members can access event presentations and registrants can access recordings at the registrants’-only link below.
Registration Information
The registration fee is $95 per participant. The fee includes access to each of the sessions and recordings.
Deadline for registration: Attendees must register before they can receive links to join each session. Those who register after a session has taken place will receive access to recordings.
Welcome
Sue Todey, WASB president and Sevastopol School Board Member
The Looming Teacher Supply Challenge: What Can Be Done to Combat It?
Friday, Oct. 29, 12 pm
Explore the findings of a recent report that delved into the threat to the teacher workforce posed by fewer education graduates. A panel of teacher preparation experts will discuss causes of the decline in teacher candidates and describe the innovative steps their schools are taking to boost the supply of teacher graduates.
- Sara Shaw (moderator), senior researcher, Wisconsin Policy Forum
- Kimber Wilkerson, faculty director, UW-Madison School of Education
Teacher Education Center - Erin Edgington, assistant professor, UW-Platteville School of Education
- Leah Lechleiter-Luke, teacher, Mauston School District
Presentation Materials for October 29:
- Teacher Supply Presentation – Erin Edgington, Leah Lechleiter-Luke, & Kimber Wilkerson
- Building a High School to Teacher Prep Program Pipeline – Leah Lechleiter-Luke
Will My Referendum Pass or Fail? (Does winning a WIAA state championship trophy help?)
Friday, Nov. 5 at 12 pm
Recent doctoral dissertation research focused on the factors affecting the success of rural school referendums. Join the author of that research to learn about the factors and their implications for school referendums in other communities.
Rob DeMeuse, project manager, School Perceptions
What ARE They Thinking? A Closer Look at Public Opinion in Wisconsin
Friday, Nov. 12 at 12 pm
Examine the latest Marquette Law School Poll findings with a nationally noted pollster and political scientist. He’ll discuss the public opinion findings on K-12 education, school spending, state aid to schools, tax relief, the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the performance of our state’s top politicians, and more.
Charles Franklin, professor of law and public policy, Marquette University
Making Sense of the Political Environment for Public K-12 Education
Friday, Dec. 10 at 12 pm
Get special insight from a “pundit panel” of keen-eyed Capitol observers who will go beyond the headlines to discuss the political climate surrounding K-12 public education in Wisconsin. They’ll consider how COVID and the massive influx of federal relief funding changed the discussion in Madison, whether support for public K-12 education is becoming a partisan issue, and what are the prospects for public K-12 going forward in the next state budget cycle and beyond.
- Molly Beck, state government and politics reporter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- JR Ross, editor, WisPolitics.com; and co-host, WisconsinEye’s “Rewind: Your Week in Review” and “Morning Minute” programs
- Luther Olsen, former chair, Senate Education Committee; former vice chair, Joint Finance Committee; and former school board president
- Jason Stein, research director, Wisconsin Policy Forum; and former state Capitol correspondent, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Wisconsin State Journal
A Look at School Funding and Other Hot Topics
December 17 at 12pm
Hear key state legislators discuss their goals and aspirations for public K-12 education.
- Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), Chair, Senate Education Committee
- Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee), Ranking Member, Senate Education Committee
- Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac), Chair, Assembly Education Committee
- Rep. Sondy Pope (D-Mt. Horeb), Ranking Member, Assembly Education Committee
