MPS makes room in budget to overhaul high schools

MILWAUKEE -- Leaders at Milwaukee Public Schools aren't just trimming their budget, in some cases they are throwing away lesson plans for a new system that could change the high school experience.

A curriculum overhaul is included in the Milwaukee Public School budget plan currently under discussion.

The budget plan includes cutting 400 positions and closing eight schools, but the district says not everything in the budget is bad.

Included in next year's budget is a plan to bring "Spring Board" five MPS high schools. The program is a curriculum overhaul. Spring Board is developed by the College Board, the same group that oversees the SAT and AP exams.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Spring Board Program.

"We've asked the superintendent to rethink high school," District Eight Board Director Meagan Holman said.

The program will be launched in classrooms as early as the sixth-grade, with the hopes of getting more kids participating in rigorous studying habits that will prepare them for higher education.

"This spring board program is going to bring a real injection of college prep into the district," Holman said.

"I think it is a really positive change for our school. We're going to keep taking it day-by-day, step-by-step and keep pushing forward and educating our youth," Bayview teacher Tammy Berger, who recently attended a meeting to introduce the district's plans said.

The program is included in next year's budget which goes up for a final vote in June.

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