Schools group quizzes Public Instruction duo

The Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools, which represents more than 750 of Wisconsin's religious and independent elementary and secondary schools, serving 130,000 students and their parents sent surveys to Superintendent of Public Instruction candidates, Linda Cross and Elizabeth Burmaster.

Here are the questions and each candidate's responses in their entirety:

Question 1

Acknowledging that the state has a responsibility to insure the education of all Wisconsin's children, including those attending religious and independent schools, how would you, in your role as State Super-intendent, exercise this responsibility on behalf of the children of Wisconsin?

Linda Cross: As a classroom teacher for 31 years - all my actions are dictated by the question - what is best for the kids? When I say kids, I mean ALL kids who are educated in Wisconsin whether at home, private or public school. I think the Department of Public Instruction can be a better resource for parents and schools private or public - since the role of the state is to ensure the education of ALL Wisconsin's children. Finally, administrators have led the DPI in the past - and I strongly believe it is time for reform led by the common sense and compassion of a classroom teacher. As head of the DPI I will not accept the status quo in education. Our state has always led the country in education through progressive reforms - and I want to embrace that spirit by empowering kids, parents, teachers and taxpayers throughout the state!

Elizabeth Burmaster: One of the most significant issues shared by both the public and non-public education systems is the preparation, ongoing professional development, and retention of highly skilled educators. Consequently, it is there that I believe we can work together in a unified, focused effort. From conversations that I've had with professionals in non-public education, non-public education faces one of the same challenges that public education does - increasing shortage of applicants for both teaching and administrative positions. Add to that the prospect of significant numbers of retirements in the years ahead, and the potential result is alarming: a looming crisis in the number of highly qualified, dedicated individuals becoming and remaining Wisconsin educators. To address the impending shortage, the solution should involve a number of strategies including the support of mentors for beginning educators. As State Superintendent of Public Instruction, I would want us to work together in ensuring that Wisconsin educators, whether in the public or non-public realm, continue the tradition of excellence.

Question 2

What legislative initiatives would you support designed to assist parents in exercising their parental authority when determining where their children will be educated, and the means necessary to achieve this result?

Examples of such initiatives and means could include tax credits, scholarship programs, textbook funding, adequate transportation, tax-free educational accounts, increased services for special needs students, and voucher programs.

Linda Cross: I support, and encourage, the continuation of Milwaukee's parental school choice program and would not throw "roadblocks" in the way. John Benson imposed last minute, additional hoops to jump through which put in question the very opening of some choice schools for the 2000-2001 school year and which caused anxiety to parents and children who had registered in those choice schools.

This is no way to treat students and their parents! This is no way to run education in Wisconsin!

I can support any and all of the means listed in this question to achieve parental school choice.

Elizabeth Burmaster: I support public education and, in fact, welcome and endorse programs such as the public school open enrollment program as well as the charter school movement, with the local school boards as the chartering agents. Both of these programs expand options available to parents.

Question 3

Recognizing the Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools represents more than 130,000 elementary and secondary students, their parents, and the schools these adults choose for their children, what practical steps would you take to strengthen the relationship between the Department of Public Instruction and Wisconsin's religious and independent schools?

Linda Cross: I have publicly stated that I want to obtain the best education for all Wisconsin students, not just public school students. I, therefore, will take pleasure in working with the Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools to achieve that goal.

Elizabeth Burmaster: As a school administrator, I have always made it a point to work closely with the various stakeholder groups connected with my school. As State Superintendent, I would consider collaboration with the various education organizations one of my first priorities. One of the best ways to create this type of cohesiveness, and the trust needed to develop and advance points of commonality, particularly in the areas of teacher and administrator preparation and licensing, is through discussion. I would do this both through informal, regular conversations and through more formal approaches such as appointment of religious and independent schools representatives to statewide task forces. In addition, I would share program information, especially that directed to high schools, with non-public schools, recognizing that a considerable percentage of students attend non-public schools for the elementary years and then move to public schools for the high school years.