1. Learning Innovation Lab Network Chooses Wisconsin
Wisconsin is one of six states chosen to pioneer an innovation lab as part of a national initiative to transform public education.
The Partnership for Next Generation Learning, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), is creating the Innovation Lab Network. Although 26 states expressed interest in the network, CCSSO said only six demonstrated the needed readiness and capacity (the other five are Kentucky, Maine, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia).
Personalized and performance-based learning, grounded in world-class knowledge and skills, will play a major role in the lab's goals.
“Our Innovation Lab schools will evolve to better meet the needs of individual students,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers. “Our goal is to bring systemic change to education that benefits students, particularly students of color and students from families living in poverty.”
The announcement includes up to $100,000 in funding from the Stupski Foundation. The Innovation Lab Network is a five-year commitment of research, development, and dissemination activities that will move participating states toward systems that support dramatically higher student academic achievement. The Department of Public Instruction and Cooperative Educational Service Agency 1, headquartered in Brookfield, will collaborate on Wisconsin's lab.
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2. School Reform Legislation
State Superintendent Tony Evers and Governor Jim Doyle asked Wisconsin lawmakers to adopt new education reform legislation.
“This proposed reform legislation represents remarkable collaborative efforts by education stakeholders to move Wisconsin forward," Evers said.
The new legislation differs from state superintendent powers legislation introduced last fall, by providing direction for locally elected school board action prior to state superintendent intervention.
Under the proposed legislation, if the state superintendent determines a school district has been identified in need of improvement, the local school board shall
- employ a standard, consistent curriculum aligned with state academic standards, across grades in all schools;
- differentiate instruction to meet individual pupil needs, based on pupil achievement data;
- implement a system of academic and behavioral supports and early interventions; and
- provide additional learning time (extended school day, extended school year, summer school, or intersession courses).
Other provisions in the legislation include a mandate for a state-provided system of support and improvement for chronically struggling schools.
“It is heartening to see legislators who were on either side of the school governance issue coming together to support this proposed education reform legislation,” Evers said. “By working together, we will transform education in Wisconsin.”
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3. Earth Day Founder Biography
The Wisconsin Historical Society Press has released a young readers biography of Gaylord Nelson, the Wisconsin politician who founded Earth Day in 1970.
Gaylord Nelson: Champion for Our Earth follows Nelson starting in boyhood in Clear Lake, Wisconsin and including his time as governor and senator.
After hearing "Young Bob" La Follette, Jr. speak, the 10-year-old Nelson knew he wanted to go into politics. College wasn't easy for him; it took three tries to make it through, but he got straight A's after exercising his determination.
Author Sheila Terman Cohen reveals that Nelson was one of the first politicans to oppose the Vietnam War. In founding Earth Day, he helped catalyze popular understanding of how and why to protect the environment. Readers watch Nelson win the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995, and reflect on his legacy after his passing in 2005.
The book is part of the Badger Biography series for young readers. (Another recent release from the series chronicles Wisconsin-born architect Frank Lloyd Wright.)
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4. Leadership Camps for Wisconsin Students
Subscriber Submission!
Any Wisconsin student can take advantage of the Wisconsin Association of School Councils (WASC) Summer Leadership Camps.
The curriculum for the five-day camps has been developed by certified educators, which WASC says is "time-tested" and "has made a positive impact in the lives of tens of thousands of Wisconsin’s students."
The camps are built around WASC's leadership standards: Self Awareness, Character, Goal Setting, Organization, Communication, Diversity, Decision-Making, Group Process, Citizenship, and Conflict Resolution.
Elements include a formal banquet, numerous opportunities to work on presentation skills, inspiring stories and songs from fellow students, recreation activities, a dance and a picnic.
This summer's programs take place in Madison between June 20 and August 5. Scholarships are available, about which the WASC state office (866-572-WASC) can provide information. The deadline for early bird registration is May 15.
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5. Advanced Placement Reimbursement Grants
April 30 is the deadline to apply for the 2009-10 Advanced Placement Expansion Reimbursement Grant, which compensates school districts for expenses related to expanding or initiating Advanced Placement offerings during 2009-10.
All Wisconsin public high schools that either began or increased opportunities for advanced placement experiences during the 2009-10 school year are eligible. The maximum reimbursement is $300 per student per year, but the amount may be pro-rated if the allocated funds are not enough to cover the claims.
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