The following is a list of key items from the Wisconsin Education Standard and AEF’s interpretation of how the standard should be measured.

1. In setting our new educational standard the Wisconsin Supreme Court said that every child has a fundamental right to an  equal opportunity for a sound basic education.

 AEF believes this should mean: The school finance system should provide equal access to state and local revenues for all districts so that the cost of money to invest in K-12 education is the same for all children in all districts.

2. In defining a sound basic education the Court said it is one that will equip students for their roles as citizens and enable them to succeed economically and personally.

• Section 118.30 (1g)(a) 1 of the statutes requires that every school district adopt pupil academic standards in mathematics, science, reading and writing, geography and history;
• Section 121.02 (1)(L) 1 provides that in the elementary grades, districts must provide regular instruction in reading, language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, physical education, art, and music.
• Section 121.02 (1)(L) 2 provides that in grades 5-8, districts must provide regular instruction in language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, health, physical education, art, and music along with an introduction to career exploration and planning.
• Section 121.02 (1)(L) 3 provides that in grades 9-12, districts must provide access to an educational program that enables pupils each year to study English, social studies, mathematics, science, vocational education, foreign language, physical education, art, and music.
• Section 121.02 (1)(L) 4 provides that the social studies curriculum include instruction in history, culture and tribal sovereignty of the federally recognized American Indian tribes located in Wisconsin.
• Section 121.02 (1)(L) 5 requires districts to provide instruction in foreign language in grades 7 & 8.

AEF believes this should mean: The quality and duration of these educational programs must be comprehensive enough to equip students for their roles as personally and economically successful adult members of our society.  Funds must be made available to all school districts to assure that the quality of educational programs meets the standard for every child every year.

3. The Court said that our school finance system must be one which takes into account districts with disproportionate numbers of disabled students.

AEF believes this should mean: The Court has recognized that disabled students at all grade levels have greater needs and force school districts to incur greater costs to meet those needs.  The school finance system must provide additional funding to meet those needs and cover those additional costs for every disabled child every year.

4. The Court also said that our school finance system must be one which takes into account districts with disproportionate numbers of economically disadvantaged students.

AEF believes this should mean: The Court has recognized that economically disadvantaged students at all grade levels are likely to need more assistance and support in school.  School districts must incur greater costs to provide that additional assistance and support.  The school finance system must provide additional funding to cover the additional costs of that assistance and support for every economically disadvantaged child every year.

5. The Court also said that our school finance system must be one which takes into account districts with disproportionate numbers of students with limited English language skills.

AEF believes this should mean: The Court has recognized that students with limited English language skills at all grade levels need additional assistance and support in order to learn all subjects and succeed in school.  School districts must incur greater costs to provide that additional assistance and support.  The school finance system  must provide additional funding to cover the additional costs of that assistance and support for every student whose English proficiency is limited every year.

6. The Court concluded our new educational standard by saying So long as the legislature is providing sufficient resources the state school finance system will pass constitutional muster.

AEF believes this should mean: The Court intends that funds made available to school districts must be sufficient to provide all of our children with a sound basic education to equip them for their roles as personally and economically successful adults in our society.   Funds must also be available to meet the additional needs of the three populations the Court identified as likely to need additional help in order to success in school.  Both types of funds must be increased annually as the costs and needs increase.