Talented Workforce

VISION

ACTION

Successful regions are built on talent. We must educate and attract the best and the brightest for careers that are closely aligned to industries that export their products and services.   The MMAC engages the business community to improve education attainment and develop our workforce to meet business needs.

MMAC GOAL:

A regional workforce powered by innovative, knowledgeable and skilled individuals who are productive lifelong learners

2009-20011 Results

To help close the educational achievement gap for low-income students in Milwaukee and put more children on a viable career path, the MMAC:

    • Helped found Schools that Can Milwaukee, an effort to expand and attract more high-performing schools.

    • Assisted in recruiting high-quality national charter school operators to Milwaukee.

    • Passed legislation eliminating the enrollment cap on the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, making the program available to more than 80% of families in Milwaukee.

    • Passed legislation allowing schools outside the City of Milwaukee to participate in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program.

    • Passed legislation making surplus Milwaukee Public Schools properties available for use by high-quality school operators.

    • Passed legislation requiring that the Wisconsin Knowledge Concepts Exam (WKCE) state standardized test be taken by all schools in Milwaukee receiving public funds.

Supported the election of a second manufacturing business leader to the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Board to create a stronger linkage between MATC and the workforce needs of area manufacturers.

Passed legislation eliminating the school choice “funding flaw,” in which the state paid a smaller share of funding for choice students than for students in Milwaukee Public Schools.

2012-2014 Agenda

  • Increase capacity in high-performing schools for 10,000 students by 2014 and for 20,000 students by 2020 by:

    • Expanding and replicating existing high-performing schools;

    • Improving achievement at high potential schools;

    • Recruiting high-quality networks of charter schools to operate in Milwaukee; and

    • Increasing the number of “Teach for America” teachers in Milwaukee Public Schools from 50 a year to 150 a year.

  • Establish a Common Report Card to evaluate academic quality in all Milwaukee schools.

  • Increase state funding for MPS schools and increase per pupil funding for choice and charter students.

  • Support an upgrade of Wisconsin’s current state standardized test to the new, more rigorous, nationally normed test (Common Core Standards).

  • Change state law so all school-age children in Milwaukee are counted in the state’s calculation of the city’s equalized property valuation.

  • Transition the Milwaukee Public Schools pension system to a defined contribution plan, putting more resources into the classroom.

  • Explore a “recovery district” within MPS to improve its lowest-performing schools.

  • Add another manufacturing business leader to the Milwaukee Area Technical College Board to strengthen connections between the school and area manufacturers.

  • Strategically align workforce development programs and services with high-demand occupational needs in the marketplace to fill a workforce pipeline for the region’s driver industries.

  • Increase K-12 students’ exposure to manufacturing to emphasize career opportunities.