Rep. Armstrong Votes For Education Package

Press Release

MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin State Assembly kicked off its fall session on September 28, when it met to consider a series of education proposals to prohibit race and sex stereotyping in classroom instruction, improve curriculum and school finance transparency, and require civics education in high schools.

“Critical race theory has been a hot-button issue at school board meetings and I have heard from many constituents who have concerns about what their children are being taught,” State Rep. Dave Armstrong (R-Rice Lake) said. “I don’t believe that Wisconsin’s children should be taught that any race or sex is inherently superior to another, or that any individual is inherently racist or sexist because of his or her own race or sex. That is why I voted for Assembly Bill 411, which prohibits schools from teaching such divisive ideas. I also voted for Assembly Bill 414, which prohibits such instruction or training for state and local employees.

“It’s also important to parents and other school district residents have easy access to information about what students are being taught and how the districts are spending tax dollars,” Representative Armstrong said. “For that reason, I voted to concur in Senate Bill 463, which requires school boards to post the learning materials and educational activities used for instruction, and Senate Bill 373, which requires the Department of Public Instruction to develop an online portal to present financial data from all Wisconsin school districts.”

Representative Armstrong also voted for Assembly Bill 563, which requires Wisconsin schools to provide civics instruction and requires completion of a civics course for high school graduation. He also voted for Assembly Bill 564, which among other things requires Governor Evers to allocate at least $100 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act for grants to schools for mental health programs.

“In addition to the education legislation the Assembly passed today, I am happy to say the Assembly also approved Assembly Resolution 21, which I introduced to recognize September 2021 as Workforce Development Month in Wisconsin,” Representative Armstrong said. “As executive director of the Barron County Economic Development Corporation, I recognize the importance of effective workforce development programs to a strong economy.”