(The Center Square) – The head of Wisconsin’s public schools is dismissing a proposal that would hold students back a grade if they miss more than 30 days in any school year.
State Superintendent Jill Underly publicly bashed proposed legislation from Rep. Bob Donovan, R-Greenfield, that would hold children and parents responsible for missed school days.
“Wisconsin, like many other states, faces a school attendance challenge. But it’s one that must be carefully addressed with evidence-based solutions and not with bills that would further harm our kids,” Undery said in a statement. “Mandatory grade retention is not a realistic solution and does nothing to improve student outcomes.”
The Wisconsin Department of Instruction’s own numbers show nearly a quarter of students missed at least 30 days of school in the 2021-2022 school year. The latest truancy numbers won’t be available until next month.
Donovan said allowing kids to miss that much school puts them even further behind.
“We are doing a disservice to kids by passing them to the next grade if they are not ready,” Donovan said earlier this week. “Holding kids back a grade should not be considered a punishment but seen as looking out for them. Students must learn the basics in their most formative years.”
Underly said having a threat hanging over students would also do them a disservice.
“Our Wisconsin schools must be places where our kids know that, when they show up for the school day, they will be engaged, they will be supported, they will be affirmed; in turn, they will be ready to learn,” she said. “We need to make sure our students are engaged in learning that is relevant and challenging, that our schools have the tools and resources they need, and that our children feel a sense of belonging in our classrooms.”
Underly called Donovan’s plan “punishment.”
Because Donovan just introduced the plan, and it may not pass the legislature this year, the earliest it could go into effect would be for the 2025-2026 school year.
