Wisconsin prepares education plan under lawsuit threat

(AP) — The Wisconsin education department is about to release a far-reaching school performance plan under increasing scrutiny from the Republican-controlled Legislature and threat of a lawsuit over how the plan is being created.

The first draft of the plan, which is required under federal law and affects every public school student in the state, is to be released next week.

The plan will set Wisconsin K-12 education policy for years and cover such things as how to measure the performance of schools, students and teachers and what to do about those not meeting the standards.

Because the stakes are so high, the education department is under intense scrutiny, especially from conservative supporters of school choice programs and those who have previously challenged the authority of Wisconsin's elected state superintendent.

Two Republican lawmakers, along with a couple Democrats, a representative of Gov. Scott Walker's office and education leaders from around the state, are also part of an advisory group that's been offering suggestions.

The department intends to post the first draft of the state plan online on April 28, take public comment for two months, and present the plan at public hearings before the Legislature's education committees, said Jennifer Kammerud, a Department of Public Instruction policy adviser.