Contact: Brian Evans, 630-217-7561
brian@keldaforgovernor.com

Endorsement comes as report ranks WI charter schools last in the nation for accountability, oversight, and transparency

MADISON, WI — Kelda Roys has secured the endorsement of Diane Ravitch, President of the Network for Public Education, former Assistant Secretary of Education, and an influential advocate for public schools and teachers.

Ravitch’s endorsement comes on the heels of a scathing report that ranks Wisconsin’s charter schools as the least transparent and accountable in the entire nation.

Kelda “really gets it,” wrote Ravitch on her education blog. “She speaks to the hearts and minds of all who have suffered the insufferable Walker, who has walked all over teachers, students, and public schools. He has bulldozed the Wisconsin Idea. Wisconsin needs Kelda Roys.”

“Diane Ravitch is a tireless advocate for public schools and I welcome her endorsement,” said Roys. “She understands that, to repair the damage done to our public education system, Wisconsin needs a champion for kids, for public schools, and for teachers – we can’t accept the de-professionalization of teaching or the privatization of schools. Diane is backing my campaign because she recognizes that I am the strongest champion for public education in this race, and the strongest candidate to beat Scott Walker.”

Roys has been avidly pro public education, pledging to restore funding to Wisconsin’s public schools and autonomy to our public school teachers. Roys has also come out in favor of ending Wisconsin’s voucher programs, with as minimal disruption to students as possible.

Roys has also been critical of the expansion of Wisconsin’s charter school program, which ranked last in the nation in terms of accountability, oversight, and transparency, according to a report from the Network for Public Education. The Network for Public Education reports that Wisconsin’s private charters are not required to:

  • Meet the same teacher certification requirements as public schools

  • Follow the same disciplinary regulations as public schools, meaning more expulsions

  • Enroll all children who apply

  • Meet basic transparency standards

  • Renew their charter more than once every five years

  • Give their assets back to the taxpayers when they close

  • Have annual audits

  • Avoid conflicts of interest for board members or the management organizations that run them

 

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