Friday, November 12, 2021
Contents of this DPI Biweekly Mailing:
1. CTE Technical Incentive Grant— Application for New Industry-Recognized Certifications
2. New Resources - Best Practices for Truancy Reduction
The most effective truancy reduction strategies include activities implemented across a continuum of supports within an equitable Multi-Level System of Support (MLSS) that include families, schools, and communities working together to set and consistently enforce rules for attendance. The impact of frequently missing school on both students and communities emphasizes the need for targeted and effective attendance improvement interventions.
The document, Best Practice Approaches to Truancy Reduction: Information for School Attendance Officers, offers strategies for schools and information relating to understanding the Youth Justice System and its approach to truancy reduction. An example letter to families informing them of habitual truancy and inviting them to problem-solve is provided. This example letter was crafted based on research indicating effective methods for increasing family response and was written through a trauma-sensitive lens.
For questions about this information, call the Student Services/Prevention and Wellness Helpline at (608)266-8960 or email dpisspw@dpi.wi.gov.
3. Annual Optional Curriculum Survey
The Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) at UW-Madison continues to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to learn about the use of high quality instructional materials in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics and Science. Instructional materials are defined as textbooks, texts, digital resources, and other content that support instruction. Recent research shows that the use of high-quality instructional materials that are aligned to standards and accompanied by ongoing professional learning can help advance equity, particularly for newer educators.
To learn more about the use of instructional materials, each school district in Wisconsin is being asked to contribute to and keep current the list of primary materials in use in their district. Each district will have one authorized user (in most cases, Director of Curriculum and Instruction) who will be able to log into the collection site and make revisions and updates. Please complete this form to identify the individual responsible for accessing the site on behalf of your district. We will follow up directly with that individual to set up a username and password.
The collection window will be from November 1-30, 2021.
If you have questions, please contact Lisa at implwisconsin@wcer.wisc.edu.
In past years, close to 80 percent of districts have provided instructional material information. Find this information at https://wimaterialsmatter.org/. DPI intends to facilitate annual updates to information shared on this site, which will allow districts to see which instructional materials are being used in neighboring or similar districts, and to reach out to these districts to learn how well instructional materials are serving their needs. Thank you for your participation in this effort.