Can MPS reverse ‘adversity scores’?

Adversity scores? I’ll give you some adversity scores. Have you looked at the education scene of children in Wisconsin these days, especially in Milwaukee?

And you have to wonder if anything substantial will be done even this coming week that has a realistic chance of improving things.

The term “adversity scores” was added to the national dialogue on education Thursday when it was reported that, along with scores on SAT admission tests and other data, the College Board will start supplying colleges and universities scores for “overall disadvantage level” of students applying for admission. These quickly became labeled “adversity scores.”

On a scale of 1 to 100 (with 50 as the average), how much was a student’s record shaped by surrounding circumstances? The idea is that (among other factors) if a student is from a low-income neighborhood and went to a school where college-going success is not common, maybe the student deserves extra consideration for admission.

I’m not sure this will make much difference nationwide and it is very unlikely to make much difference in Wisconsin, where the ACT admission test is widely used and the SAT is not much of a factor.

Does anyone disagree that the odds of succeeding in education (and beyond) are far higher for some kids than for others because of the circumstances of life? And that kids from low-income communities are the ones you don’t see in anything resembling fair proportions when it comes to college campuses?

What will the Legislature do?

What to do about this is not a simple matter, of course. But every two years, Wisconsin has its main opportunity to give fresh thought (and maybe even action!) to what might help. It’s known as the state budget process.

For education purposes, it is likely to reach a crucial point Thursday. That’s when the Legislature’s budgetwriting committee is scheduled to take up big education issues.

Gov. Tony Evers proposed a big list of expensive changes — $1.4 billion more over the next two years. A “blue ribbon task force” on education, chaired by two Republican legislators, released recommendations last fall that have some compatibility with Evers’ proposals.

But the Republicans who lead the Legislature and the budget committee are committed to much more modest increases, amounting basically to continuing on the course schools are on. And they appear to be aiming to neutralize Evers’ often-powerful partial veto power.

The advocacy of public education leaders around the state has been clear about the need to change the trajectory of kids and schools statewide, which will take some serious money. But it’s looking unlikely they will gain much in this budget.

Perhaps ironically, the Milwaukee School Board budget committee is also scheduled to meet Thursday to act on plans for 2019-'20. This is not likely to be a happy session.

The picture in Milwaukee

The discussion brought to my mind a column I wrote in April 2018, after Darienne Driver announced she was leaving as MPS superintendent. I gave 10 reasons to fret about what a new superintendent would face. Permit me to summarize and update the list.

Poverty in Milwaukee and its impact on kids. Nope, no real improvement.

Money. Nope, that’s not likely to change for MPS and not really for private and charter schools. Steady as she goes financially, in a very unsteady climate.

The Milwaukee School Board. I was concerned about how relations between the board and a new superintendent would play out after they got rocky between Driver and the board. So far, Posley and the board are doing OK. But both are holding pretty weak hands.

Teachers and the teachers’ union. Ditto from the board comments. Based on public testimony and general indicators, the teaching workforce is highly stressed and morale is not good.

Student achievement. Test scores from last spring (the most recent available) showed no big changes. A bit of improvement in graduation rates. But in state tests, 80% of MPS students are rated below the proficient level in language arts. For math, it’s 85%. And for students using vouchers to attend private schools? Generally the same.

Relationships between MPS and outside groups. Community support and support from some philanthropic and nonprofit groups has strong spots. But overall, the standing of MPS among outsiders (including Republican legislators) is not good.

Charter schools. A hot and contentious issue then, hotter and more contentious now.

Enrollment. Posley put a priority on reversing the long-time slide in enrollment in the main body of MPS schools. But enrollment was down last fall and MPS administrators forecast it to go down again next fall.

Community will power. Is there really a commitment on a broad basis to doing something to improve the lives of the many thousands of children in Milwaukee who are on paths that do not speak to long-term success? I doubted it a year ago. I haven’t changed my mind.

Adversity scores in Milwaukee? They’re high. There’s serious reason to fear they will go higher. You don’t need the SAT or me to tell you that. Look around. Then ask what might be done.

Alan J. Borsuk is senior fellow in law and public policy at Marquette Law School. Reach him at alan.borsuk@marquette.edu.