Spotlight Schools Grant Program
Since 2003, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has recognized Title I schools that have demonstrated success in educating their students. Funded through a special set aside of any increase in Title I monies the state received from the United States Department of Education (ED), Schools of Recognition (SORs) were afforded the opportunity to participate in a local teacher fellowship program and the Spotlight Schools grant Program. Due to a continued decline of Title I funds and the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Spotlight Schools grant program was discontinued in June, 2016.
The positive impact of the Spotlight School grant was well documented. In its five year history, the 33 schools receiving grants hosted visits from 174 schools and over 1,000 teachers and other staff. Feedback from visiting schools consistently included comments speaking to the benefits of observing the implementation of effective practices and reflecting on their own work. The DPI will continue to look for ways to incorporate the effective professional development model established through these experiences into other programs and provide forums for networking and sharing among educators and schools.
Overview
Spotlight Schools was a competitive grant program for Wisconsin Schools of Recognition that received the award for the last three (or more) consecutive years. Spotlight Schools were selected based on the school’s documented success in two spotlighted areas including Teaching and Learning and one of the following: Vision, Values, Culture, and Climate; Leadership and Governance; Decision Making and Accountability; Professional Development and Teacher Quality; and Family, School, and Community Partnerships.
This program provided information to schools around the state about effective practices in improving student learning and achievement, and allow school teams to arrange visits to Spotlight Schools to observe these practices and implement these ideas in their own schools.
2015-16 Spotlight Schools
2015-16 Spotlight Schools grant recipients also received a 2014-15 Spotlight Schools grant and were identified as Wisconsin Title I Schools of Recognition for 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15.
Converse Elementary School
Beloit School District
Tiffany Creek Elementary School
Boyceville Community School District
Bruce Middle School
Bruce School District
Longfellow Elementary School
Eau Claire Area School District
Mercer School
Mercer School District
Academy of Accelerated Learning
Milwaukee Public Schools
Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Elementary School
Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District
Grant Elementary School
Sheboygan Area School District
Lawrence-Lawson Elementary School
Sparta Area School District
Howe Elementary School
Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools
Spotlight School Grant Recipient Executive Summaries
2014-15 Spotlight School Awardees