Why is Our Work So Important?

Nearly 70% of Wisconsin school districts are considered “rural.” These districts service 44% of the state’s 860,000 public school students. With so many members of Wisconsin’s next generation learning in rural schools, it’s vital that we prioritize the unique needs of these educators and students.

But step back for a moment and consider this: ALL Wisconsin schools are facing significant challenges. These include growing poverty, lack of predictable funding increases, insufficient special education funding, increasing numbers of English Language Learners, limited access to mental health services, escalating staff shortages, and much more.

So while challenges differ from district to district, we are all united by a common goal to provide the best possible education for Wisconsin students. We need to identify, clarify, and support good education policy for public schools. And we need to guarantee equal access to opportunities and resources for all Wisconsin students, setting them up for bright futures.

Wisconsin has always been a national leader in education. Let’s keep it that way.