Vol, 6, No. 28: September 24, 2007		Get SEAchange by email

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2. Burmaster delivers State of Education address

During her State of Education address Thursday, September 20, at the Capitol in Madison, State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster reported that public education is moving Wisconsin forward.

"Today, we are still leading the way," she stated. Educational results show that:

• Wisconsin ranked among the top states in this year's "Quality Counts" national report for K-12 achievement and a child's chances of success in life.
  
• The state's high school graduation rate is in the top five in the nation, and more students than ever before took the ACT, with the highest score in seven years.


• More students, including students of color, took Advanced Placement exams and scored higher than ever before, a result of the state's AP expansion grants.


• The state saw gains at nearly every grade level in mathematics and rising or stable scores for reading on statewide testing.

In her address, Burmaster also renewed her call to the Legislature to pass a budget before Friday, September 28. On that date, the Department of Public Instruction begins the process of certifying state equalization aid for the coming year. If no budget is passed, the DPI may use last year's figures for state equalization aid.

"I renew my call to the Legislature to pass a state budget that truly provides the resources needed for quality education."

Text and video of the State of Education address (and other speeches by Burmaster): http://dpi.wi.gov/sprntdnt/speeches.html

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Last updated on 9/25/2007