Staff Reports
The Wisconsin Department of Education is up to some wacky shenanigans again with their use of federal special education funds. They’re shelling out the dough to have speakers blabber on about race, equity, and Black queer feminist methodology to teachers. Yeah, you heard that right. They’re dishing out your hard-earned tax dollars to listen to lectures from the likes of Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo. These folks are known for their controversial and downright wacky ideas about racism, inequity, and marginalized gender or sexual identities.
Wisconsin directs federal IDEA funds toward racism, equity workshops https://t.co/TDB96gmPjh via @JustTheNews
— Sharon Rediker (@NeegranRediker) April 9, 2024
The state’s Educational Equity Leadership Institutes are getting their funding from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which was passed way back in 1990. Now, this law is supposed to make sure that all kids with disabilities get a proper education that fits their needs and sets them up for success. But instead, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is using this money to fund lectures that don’t seem to have anything to do with special education.
The Educational Equity Network, also known as “The Disproportionality Technical Assistance Network,” is the mastermind behind these events. According to their website, they’re all about reducing racial disparities in special education through some convoluted system of activities and supports. They claim to be all about equity, inclusivity, and cultural responsiveness, but it seems like they’re just throwing buzzwords around to cover up their outrageous behavior.
And get this – the Education Equity Leadership Institutes are all about “difficult conversations” surrounding race and oppression. They’re not even pretending to link it back to special education. But that’s not stopping them from touting these workshops as essential for educators to create a sense of belonging in their classrooms. They’re inviting teachers to engage in “difficult conversations” about race, equity, and inclusion, all while neglecting their actual duty to provide the best education for students with disabilities.
The cherry on top? They’re not even being upfront about how much this charade is costing. They’re using special education funds to fly in speakers from all over and then claiming it’s “fee-free” for participants. It’s maddening to think that these taxpayer dollars are being squandered on lectures that have absolutely nothing to do with special education. This whole debacle has “political agenda” written all over it.
It’s a shame that the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Educational Equity Network are getting away with this nonsense. Instead of focusing on providing better education for students with disabilities, they’re filling teachers’ heads with divisive and irrelevant ideas. It’s time to put an end to this misuse of funds and hold these departments accountable for their absurd actions.
