We share Representative Goeben’s goal of ensuring safe and respectful learning environments for all students and staff. However, Assembly Bills AB613 and AB614 fail to offer the thoughtful, sustainable solutions that Wisconsin families and schools deserve. These proposals do not address the root causes of current behavioral challenges and the long term needs of our schools.
Legislation that impacts our children so directly must be informed by the voices and expertise of all stakeholders. It is deeply concerning that, by the sponsor’s own admission, thorough research was not conducted; including a critical lack of outreach to parents and members of the disability community.
Despite a late amendment addressing students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), significant concerns remain for vulnerable groups, “I continue to have concerns about the repercussions of these bills for a range of student populations, including those with disabilities who do not have an existing IEP, students of color, and students who have experienced trauma”, said Megan Cobb-Sheehan, Psychologist and Mother to a young autistic child in Madison.
The language in these bills is dangerously vague. AB614 includes terms as subjective as “boisterous,” opening the door to inconsistent application and potential discrimination.
While rhetoric focused on partisanship may serve a political purpose, it is a disservice to the complex needs of our schools. Our local school districts, tasked with implementation, find AB613 and AB614 to be an unworkable proposal that would create costly, administrative red tape.These bills will add further strain to budgets that already did not receive a general fund increase for the first time in 14 years, potentially pushing more cost onto local homeowners.
“I can tell you what will solve problems with undesirable behaviors. I’ve lived it. The answer is partnership. Connection. Understanding. Root cause analysis of problems. Supporting each other. Not blaming each other”, said Melissa Custer, Co-Founder of Learn in My Shoes and Mother to two young boys in Grafton.
These bills acknowledge the problem but offer no solution. We believe the most effective way to support our schools and enhance safety is to fully fund public education and provide the necessary resources for proactive, student-centered interventions.
Learn more about Learn in My Shoes: learninmyshoeswi.org
BACKGROUND:
Feature Article from NEA Today: Breaking the Cycle of Bad Behavior: https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/breaking-cycle-bad-behavior
Article from Child Mind Institute’s Family Resource Center: Breaking the Behavior Code – How teachers can read and respond more effectively to disruptive students: https://childmind.org/article/breaking-behavior-code
DPI data shows general aid decreases for public school districts, increases in voucher enrollment: https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/10/17/dpi-data-shows-general-aid-decreases-for-public-school-districts-increases-in-voucher-enrollment
WATCH:
THE KIDS WE LOSE: A DOCUMENTARY FILM by Dr Ross Greene: https://www.thekidswelose.com/
