Agency Furlough Announcement

As part of an effort to close the state's multi-billion dollar budget deficit, all state of Wisconsin agencies are required to develop plans to manage mandated employee furloughs.

To accommodate this requirement, the Department of Public Instruction will close its Ashland, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, Racine, and Wausau offices to the public on the following days:

November 27, 2009
February 15, 2010
May 28, 2010

In addition, the department will have limited service on April 2, 2010.

Messages received on these dates will be returned as soon as possible after employees return to work. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

13 districts receive STEM grants for 2009-10 school year

Robotics lessons, an adventure week, and a career workshop series are among 13 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instructional programs funded for the current school year from $59,400 in state grant money.

Initiated as part of the 2007-09 state budget, the grants support innovative STEM programs for students who are under-represented in those fields. Under-represented students include economically disadvantaged students, English-language learners, females, students of color, and students with disabilities.

"Some of these grants are targeting students in the elementary grades. Igniting an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at an early age is the place to begin a lifelong fascination and perhaps spark a career in these fields," said State Superintendent Tony Evers. "Other grants work with middle and high school students to nurture curiosity and to help young people become tomorrow's scientists, inventors, and entrepreneurs."

Funded projects include student activities and collaboration with another school district, two- or four-year college, business or industry, or community-based or nonprofit organization that serves youth. In addition, each grant applicant conducted a needs assessment and set goals and objectives that are measurable and contribute to closing achievement and participation gaps in STEM coursework. School districts requested more than $167,000 in the competitive grant program for projects that will be completed by June 30, 2010.

Additional information, including a list of projects receiving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics State Grants for the 2009-10 school year, is available in the complete news release.

Last updated on 11/24/2009 11:34:20 AM