Contact: Alec Zimmerman
(608) 257-4765
[Madison, WI]—Madison bureaucrat Tony Evers, head of the Department of Public Instruction, is set to deliver his annual State of Education in Wisconsin speech later today. Evers’ weak leadership while heading the department has been well publicized over the years. Will he address any of his critical failures during his speech?
“Madison bureaucrat Tony Evers’ entire career has been defined by his failure to lead when it mattered, and today is no different,” said Alec Zimmerman, spokesman for the Republican Party of Wisconsin. “From failing to stand up when children and families needed him most, to supporting the status quo at the expense of students, Wisconsin can’t afford Tony Evers’ weak leadership.”
Evers Failed to Lead at the Department of Public Instruction
Weak leadership in removing a teacher from the classroom: After a teacher was found spreading pornography at school, Evers failed to act, allowing the teacher to retain his license and thus continue teaching.
Weak leadership in protecting students: Since taking over at DPI, Evers has allowed more than a dozen teachers and principals to keep their teaching licenses after “immoral conduct.” Examples range from stealing private student data to teachers having inappropriate relationships with students
Weak leadership in addressing the achievement gap:When asked why he let Wisconsin’s achievement gap get so bad, Evers said: “I didn’t let it happen. It was caused by external things.”
Weak leadership in reforming the system : Evers called school choice reforms that give parents flexibility and students a chance at success “morally wrong.”
Weak leadership in addressing the status quo: Governor Walker called on Evers to redo his ESSA plan, calling it a bureaucratic proposal that fails to benefit Wisconsin students. Evers refused.
Weak leadership on graduation rates: Evers’ department acknowledged it did not know what percentage of students graduated in 4 years in 2016. When asked about the rate, a spokesman said: “it could be up or it could be down, we don’t know.”
