February 20, 2006	Volume 5, Number 5

On the Road

On February 7, State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster addressed the Governor's Summit on After School Programs in Madison, stressing the important role of after school programs in closing the achievement gap.

“We believe that students should have a safe, constructive place to go after school which brings out the best in them, holds them to high standards, and nurtures them through relationships with positive role-models,” Burmaster told the group. “A review of more than 50 rigorous studies found that after-school programs can improve reading and math achievement among at-risk and low-achieving students, and national studies tell us that participation in after-school programs can reduce vandalism, drug use, addiction, teen sex, and other risky behaviors.”

The summit was attended by educators, school administrators, members of business and industry, private and community foundations, and representatives of statewide organizations and associations that support local after school programs.

DPI has administered a $12 million grant program to fund Community Learning Centers in Wisconsin since 2002. In 2005, a statewide network was established in support of after school programs, with additional support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. A National Governor’s Association grant sponsored the Governor’s Summit, which is intended to expand the funding base for after school programs to include private, local, and state funding sources.

On February 10, Burmaster joined other state officials, friends, and family in a tribute to the late Senator William Proxmire at the state capitol rotunda.

“More and more, international issues are reaching across lines that used to separate education from commerce, arts, tourism, transportation, and health,” said Burmaster. “Engage your top leaders, get publicity for your high visibility projects, find strength and international connections in your multicultural communities, build lasting programs, and every day, bring the world to your classrooms. Our recommendations are grouped under five key goals – goals for students and teachers, for communities, and a role for leaders in government and business. Our five goals to internationalize education are: global literacies for all students; world languages for all students; global training for all teachers; intercultural experiences for all citizens; and international linkages for Wisconsin businesses and government.”

The conference featured workshops on international education, including a presentation on Making a World of Difference by Mike McKinnon and Jane Thompson of Academy for International Studies, part of the Janesville School District. Other subjects included Finding a World View in Every Course; Globalizing Your Classroom; Religion in International Studies; Service Learning for Global Citizenship; Teaching International Responsibility and Skills for Respect and Inclusion; Introducing a Model UN Into the Classroom; and Best Practices from Around the World.

Last updated on 2/20/2006