On the Road

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster testified by telephone for Rep. Tom Petri’s listening session in Fond du Lac on April 11 on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). She joined educators from the 6th Congressional District in relating the Wisconsin experience with the federal education laws contained in the ESEA, also known as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). The NCLB Act is up for congressional reauthorization this year.

“I have focused my administration on our New Wisconsin Promise to ensure that every child graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the 21st century global society. Through quality teachers in every classroom, high-quality state assessments, accountability for results at the school and district level, and public reporting of those results, districts and schools are striving to raise achievement for all students and close the achievement gap.

“While we agree with the intent of NCLB, the prescriptive nature in which the federal law has been delineated has taken the sovereignty of public education from our state and local school districts,” she said.

On April 12 and 13, Burmaster attended the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents meeting at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. On April 14, she gathered with recipients of Herb Kohl Educational Foundation student scholarships and Teacher Fellowships for a recognition banquet and reception at Oregon High School.

The morning of April 16, Burmaster welcomed members of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Madison for one of its three annual meetings. The council provides advice to the Department of Public Instruction and the state superintendent on the training, recruitment, and retention of quality educators.

For more information about SEAchange, contact: John Johnson at (608) 266-1098.

Last updated on 4/16/2007