A vote on education
DPI candidates differ on future of state schools
Wisconsin’s race for superintendent of public instruction features two longtime educators with distinctly different world views in a contest that will shape the state’s educational landscape over the next four years.
A staunch advocate of public schools, Tony Evers will defend his seat in the April 4 election against school choice proponent Lowell Holtz.
Holtz, who retired last year from the Whitnall School District, argues that Evers has done little to move the needle on Wisconsin students’ academic performance and closing achievement gaps, particularly between black and white students.
“Wisconsin is the worst in the nation for achievement gaps and graduation gaps,” said Holtz, who believes public charter and private voucher schools could do a better job than some public schools. “We’re leaving a generation of students behind.”
Evers says Wisconsin schools have raised standards, increased graduation rates and expanded career and technical education programs during his tenure. He characterized Holtz as a political opportunist who would expand the state’s voucher program at the expense of public schools and shepherd in the massive cuts proposed by President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos that would eliminate before- and afterschool programs, teacher training grants and a host of other programs that benefit Wisconsin students.
“That’s a questionable place for a state superintendent to be,” Evers said.
A Plymouth native, Evers,