Badgernet.org

Most of us remember the scene in Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” where the ghost of Christmas future opens his robes to reveal a neglected boy and a malnourished girl who represent, respectively, “Ignorance and Want”. The ghost warns: “Beware them both, but most of all, beware this boy.” In Wisconsin education, this tableau has been played out countless times, but with the scenario turned on its head and the children’s roles redefined as “Knowledge Denied” and “Opportunities Lost”.

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Dubuque, Iowa shares its border with both Wisconsin and Illinois. Rather than high taxes and layers of mandates, Dubuque and Iowa encourage cooperation, consensus and joint projects among business owners and government agencies; such cross-fertilization has created a dynamic and growing economic environment that “floats all boats”. This, then is a real life Tale of Two Cities, one in Iowa, and several (take your pick) in Wisconsin.

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