We reviewed the project's data for the 2009-10 school year, which is the fourth year the researchers arranged for the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination to be administered to Choice pupils. We analyzed and generally confirmed the analyses that they reported in March 2011, which show no significant difference in the performance of Choice pupils and similar MPS pupils after four years. However, we note that only 41.3 percent of the 2,727 Choice pupils in the researchers' sample remained in Choice schools in the 2009-10 school year.

As we discussed in our prior reports, we cannot provide legislators with information about academic performance specific to each of the 111 Choice schools that operated in the 2009-10 school year because the project, citing confidentiality concerns, has not provided us with average pupil test scores at individual Choice schools. However, 2009 Wisconsin Act 28 made several changes to testing requirements, including requiring Choice schools to administer the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination during the 2010-11 school year and report the results to the Department of Public Instruction.

We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by project researchers as we conducted this review.

The Honorable, The Legislature:

As requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, we have completed an evaluation of educational programs for working adults within the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). Full-time equivalent enrollment increased 16.9 percent from fiscal year (FY) 2007-08 through FY 2009-10. WTCS attributes the increase to an increase in the number of new students, as well as students enrolling in more credit hours.

To help meet the local needs for the occupational education, training, and re-training of working adults, 31.8 percent of associate degree courses held in the Spring 2010 semester by the 16 technical college districts were scheduled after 5:00 p.m. or on weekends, or were available as online courses. Twenty-one associate degree programs are offered entirely online, and the number of online associate degree courses increased 46.4 percent over the six-semester period we reviewed, reaching 2,822 in Spring 2010. Current district policies allow other educational institutions to provide training and occupational programming in rented district facilities, which may help improve access to needed services. However, we include a recommendation for district boards to determine whether such programming could be offered by the technical colleges.

In June 2010, 259,643 individuals were unemployed, including some who were dislocated from their employment as a result of plant closings or mass layoffs. Some dislocated workers are eligible for training services funded by two federal programs, the Workforce Investment Act and the Trade Adjustment Assistance program. We estimated 7,000 students in the technical colleges were supported by these two programs in FY 2009-10. However, given the uncertainty of future federal funding levels and the likelihood of continued demand for training services, we include recommendations for updating information on funding, training needs, and employment outcomes after training.

We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by WTCS, the 16 technical college districts, and the Department of Workforce Development.

The Honorable, The Senate:

I am pleased to provide you with a copy of the official canvass of the August 9, 2011 Recall Election vote for the office of State Senator, along with the determination by the designees of the Chairperson of the Government Accountability Board of the winners.

With this letter, I am delivering the Certificates of Election and transmittal letters for the winner to you for distribution.

If the Government Accountability Board can provide you with further information or assistance, please contact our office.

I, Gerald C. Nichol, designee of the Chairperson of the Government Accountability Board, certify that the attached tabular statements, as compiled from the certified returns made to the Government Accountability Board by the several counties of the state, contain a correct abstract of the total number of votes given for the election of a candidate for State Senator, at a Recall Election held in the several election districts in said counties on the ninth day of August, 2011.

I DO, THEREFORE, DETERMINE AND CERTIFY that the following candidate, having each received the greatest number of votes, is duly elected State Senator:

Senate District Elected

2nd District Robert L. Cowles
8th District Alberta Darling
10th District Sheila E. Harsdorf
14th District Luther S. Olsen
18th District Jessica King
32nd District Jennifer Shilling

Done in the City of Madison, this 18th day of August, 2011.

On Friday, August 19, 2011, Jessica King took and subscribed the oath of office in Oshkosh, which was administered by the Honorable Barbara H. Key, Circuit Court Judge, Branch 3, Winnebago County.

Senate Clearinghouse Rule 11-032

Submitted by Department of Natural Resources.

Senate Clearinghouse Rule 10-129

Senate Clearinghouse Rule 11-025