1. Licensing Flexibility
State Superintendent Tony Evers announced that the Department of Public Instruction is reviewing licensing regulations under PI 34 to create more teacher licensing flexibility and expand pathways for talented professionals to pursue their dreams to teach in Wisconsin schools.
“The reality of some of today’s educational approaches requires that we look at our licensing regulations to increase flexibility," said State Superintendent Tony Evers, "and expand routes to certification to ensure that these programs are taught by highly qualified teachers."
In addition to the licensing challenges of integrated approaches such as in project- and inquiry-based learning, special courses like Project Lead the Way and cross-disciplinary STEM coursework, licensing issues also sometimes arise in charter or rural schools that want to offer specialized subjects but have small enrollments and no teacher with that specific certification.
The Department of Public Instruction is reviewing licensing regulations under PI-34 to determine ways to add flexibility for those wishing to enter the teaching profession or expand their credentials. Options may include granting credit for lifetime experiences, adding a license or credential that facilitates cross-disciplinary teaching assignments, and working with colleges, universities, and alternative programs to offer staff development to meet specific needs.
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2. Open Enrollment
During Wisconsin's open enrollment application period, February 1-19, parents have the opportunity to apply to send their children to a school district other than the one in which they live.
Participation in open enrollment has grown every year since the program began in 1998-99, when 2,464 students utilized the option. In 2008-09, a total of 28,028 students attended school outside their district through open enrollment. In 2009-10, the number of applications for new transfers took an unusually large jump, reaching 29,706 in comparison to the prior year's total of 20,953.
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3. World Language Site Wins Award
A website created by the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board (ECB) in cooperation with the DPI won the Instructional Media/Inservice award from the National Educational Telecommunications Association this month.
World Language Assessment – Get In The Mode! is a multimedia website that supports and empowers world language educators to improve student proficiency through a variety of assessment strategies. The site is ECB's first to include a series of full-length professional development videos available on demand.
Some very positive words from the judges include these comments:
- "This is a video I want to show in my state. We've gotten so many requests from foreign language teachers for ways to incorporate technology into their lesson planning, and never had an answer!"
- "Very attractive and professional job, enjoyable to watch."
- "Extensive use of field pieces that allowed the audience to see the various methods in use was particularly effective. The instructors selected were engaging and articulate. Appreciated that sufficient time was allotted to see the instructors (and the students) in action."
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4. State Child Care Rating System
State Superintendent Tony Evers supports the YoungStar child care rating program recently announced by Governor Jim Doyle.
YoungStar will set a five-star rating system for child care providers based on education, learning environment, business practices, and the health and well being of children. A website will use the rating system to help parents see how providers score and why. As an incentive for providers to improve their care, the amount of state child care subsidy payments will depend on their YoungStar rating. Funding and other assistance will be made available to help them improve and ensure every child has access to quality care.
“This system will improve the daily experiences provided in thousands of child care centers across the state," Evers said. "Developmentally appropriate early learning experiences lay a foundation for our children’s success in school, helping us reach the goal of having every child graduate with knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the workforce or further education."
Evers, who is co-chair of the Governor's Early Childhood Advisory Council, continued, "I am proud to be working with our partners to assess and assure a comprehensive system to support young children and families."
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5. Laptops for Homeless Students in Green Bay
For a second year, the Green Bay Area Public School District intends to give laptop computers to every homeless student in the district who is continuing to postsecondary education.
Homeless Coordinator Alison Draheim says the laptops are partly a way to congratulate and encourage those graduating homeless students who have set their sights on higher education, and partly a way to make sure they have the tools to continue to succeed in school.
"That's key--it's how people move out of poverty. It's how families move from being dependent on the system to being self-sufficient."
Last school year, a computer store-owner who is the friend of a local principal supplied high-quality laptops for 11 homeless students, along with free software and tutorials from his staff, for $500 a piece. The price was covered by the homeless program's "donation fund," maintained every year through outreach and media appearances.
This year, the Donald Driver Foundation (founded by Driver of the Green Bay Packers) will replace the district contribution. The foundation is also asking each student to apply for its $1000 scholarship.
Draheim says she's grateful to Green Bay Superintendent Greg Maass and Assistant Superintendent Dave Zadnik for their support of outside-the-box projects.
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