February 13, 2006	Volume 5, Number 4

On the Road

On January 24, State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster welcomed a broad cross-section of the state’s education community to the Data Summit for Successful Schools in Madison. The Data Summit is an initial step toward developing an integrated system of decision-making tools for all education stakeholders. This system will help educators, parents, students, and state and local government leaders make informed decisions about our children’s education, and provide accurate and timely data to meet federal, state, and local reporting requirements. “Closing the achievement gap is our most important priority,” said Burmaster. “Data-informed decision making will help educators foster school improvement and improve student achievement.”

On January 25, the state superintendent joined Executive Secretary Tia Nelson and two commissioners from the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands; Secretary State Doug LaFollette, current chair of the commission; and State Treasurer Jack Voight, at a press conference announcing that the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands is providing $28.2 million to DPI to distribute to the 426 Wisconsin school districts for the purchase of school library materials. The amount represents a 15 percent increase from last year, and is the largest distribution in the history of the Common School Fund.

Common School Fund (CSF) Library Aid is an annual program to Wisconsin public school districts that distributes the interest earned on loans made from the CSF, one of the state trust funds set up by the Wisconsin Constitution. Each year, the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands informs the Department of Public Instruction of the total interest that has accumulated in the fund, and each school district's allocation is computed based on the number of children ages four through 20 living in the district.

The state superintendent welcomed about 120 people to an Alliance for Attendance Summit meeting in Milwaukee on January 25. The summit brought together Alliance stakeholders to focus on progress by pilot schools. Attendees discussed how the groups are working together in support of the initiative to increase attendance.

“Our work here, bringing our Milwaukee community together around the serious issue of attendance and truancy, inspired meetings and summits last fall in three additional communities,” Burmaster told the group. “You will see your work in the efforts of Menominee Indian School District, Racine, and Green Bay. These communities are following in your footsteps, and adding their local ideas.”

That afternoon, Burmaster toured the Milwaukee Center for Independence.

On January 26, Burmaster met with her High School Task Force in Madison. This was the fourth meeting of the task force, convened in January 2005 to ensure that Wisconsin high school students continue to graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in postsecondary education, the high-skills workplace, and as citizens of our global economy. The High School Task Force is working to identify strategies to raise achievement for all students, close the gap, and promote postsecondary success and citizenship for all students; embrace the strengths of high schools and identify where change is needed; examine new models of student learning and engagement; rethink the roles and relationships that frame high schools; and advance best practices that promote equity, quality, and accountability in the high school experience.

At noon, Burmaster spoke to about 160 senior high school principals at the annual conference of the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, and presented an award recognizing the 2005 Senior High School Principal of the Year to Terry Fondow of East High School in Green Bay.

On January 29, Burmaster joined a group of educators, students, and members of the community at a re-dedication ceremony for Northview Elementary School in Howards Grove. Residents of that community passed a $3.13 million elementary school renovation referendum in 2004.

Burmaster congratulated the community for making Howards Grove a special place, and on their commitment to their schools. “Your work has led to a world-class elementary school facility with a new gymnasium, new music room, new early childhood classrooms, a remodeled cafeteria and library, and technologically state-of-the art classrooms. Your investments of resources, energy, and collaboration have given the Howards Grove community one of the finest school facilities in Wisconsin,” said Burmaster. “As we dedicate this building, I’d like to acknowledge the fine work and dedication of the thoughtful, committed citizens who saw this project through.”

On February 2, Burmaster welcomed participants to the Youth Service Learning Conference, held in conjunction with the Dialogues with Democracy Conference in Madison. “I believe service-learning is the most effective educational strategy for the application of knowledge learned in school to the real world, and for the civic engagement of students in their communities,” said Burmaster. “Students can best learn through authentic hands-on involvement what it means to be productive, contributing citizens of a democracy. Service-learning is the educational reform that can ensure that all children have experiences that will help them become outstanding citizens, and contribute to their community, nation, and the world.”

Later that day, the state superintendent welcomed about 175 Associate Principals to their annual conference and presented the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators 2006 Associate Principal of the Year award to Barbara Dougal of Parker High School in Janesville. Dougal has served the students of Wisconsin for more than 20 years, first as a teacher, and for the past ten years as assistant principal of Parker High School.

The state superintendent addressed the 50th convention of the Wisconsin State Reading Association (WSRA) in Milwaukee on February 3. “I want to thank the Wisconsin State Reading Association for your commitment to our children and your outstanding leadership in reading instruction,” she said. “Powerless children need powerful friends, and WSRA has long been a powerful advocate for what we know works. You know the importance of quality teachers, effective professional development, smaller class sizes through the SAGE and P-5 programs, and four-year-old kindergarten to advance literacy and have all students reading at or above grade level.”

On February 4, Burmaster addressed a reception for Wisconsin’s 2005 Milken Award Educators, hosted by First Lady Jessica Doyle at the Executive Residence in Madison and attended by former Milken educators, and the families of the most recent Milken Award winners.

“Our 2005 Milken award winners are two very special educators; Julie Cunningham and Kendra Naef are special for the ways in which they touch children’s lives through learning in their classrooms and schools. They commit themselves to reach beyond the lesson plans and daily interactions into each of their students’ lives. These educators understand our New Wisconsin Promise – our commitment to raise achievement for all students, and close the achievement gap between economically disadvantaged children, children of color, and their peers.” A photo gallery of the Milken reception is available.

Last updated on 2/13/2006