State Superintendent's Web Message Archive

New Wisconsin Promise Conference: Educational success requires community

More than 1,400 educators and administrators from throughout the state gathered in Madison for our fourth annual New Wisconsin Promise: Closing the Achievement Gap conference Jan. 15-16. The conference offered 93 hours of presentations and workshops, most by Wisconsin educators. Many districts and schools that are beating the odds shared their stories and strategies for improving academic achievement. Those attending the conference had opportunities to gain insights through four conference strands: content and learning; district and school improvement; race, equity, and school culture; and professional learning.

Wisconsin has a long and proud tradition of supporting quality education. We have made a strong commitment to our New Wisconsin Promise: to raise the level of achievement for all students and to close the achievement gap between students of color, economically disadvantaged students, and their peers. Our success in the past has been because we worked together in local communities. And our success in the future will only be realized if we continue to come together as an entire community to support families and children.

No matter where schools are located in Wisconsin, the challenges facing educators grow everyday. Student poverty, which too often has a negative impact on academic achievement, is growing; up 10 percent since 2001. From our largest city, Milwaukee, where 80 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, to rural Glidden, where 62 percent of students are considered to be in poverty, we must be diligent in providing the school environment and educational services that we know make a difference in students' ability to learn. Smaller class sizes, 4 year-old kindergarten, and access to school breakfast are just a few of the tools we have that are proven strategies to help close the achievement gap.

Our New Wisconsin Promise is our blueprint for ensuring every student can learn and is prepared for postsecondary education or to enter the workforce. However, an educational system isn't worth a great deal if it only teaches young people how to make a living, but doesn't teach them how to live. We want our students to have the knowledge and skills to be productive citizens in our 21st century global society. We want our children to experience learning worth remembering for a lifetime. Providing an education is a difficult task that takes the entire community working together. Through community investment in education, our children are bound for success.

January 18, 2008 -- Return to message archive index

For questions about this information, contact Debra A. Bougie (608) 266-1598

Last updated on 2/26/2008 10:38:35 AM