Introduction
In 1997, Wisconsin Act 298 was passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor, creating the statutory Professional Standards Council (PSC) to assist and advise the state superintendent in improving teacher preparation, licensure, and regulation. Wis. Stat. 15.377(8). Specific information regarding the framework of the Professional Standards Council can be found at Wis. Admin Code PI 34.108.
The council was established with the primary focus on classroom teaching. The purpose of the council, acting in an advisory capacity, is to ensure the quality of the profession of teaching by recommending to the state superintendent a set of standards regarding licensure and evaluation of teachers, evaluation and approval of teacher education programs, the status of teaching in Wisconsin, and school board practices to develop effective teaching and peer mentoring programs.
The original legislative act that created the council provides a statutory mechanism to review, propose, or revise teacher preparation policies. Any policy recommendations or proposals made by the council are advisory only and subject to approval by the State Superintendent. Statutory responsibilities also require an annual report to the appropriate standing legislative committees on the activities and effectiveness of the council.
Related Statutes and Administrative Codes Governing the Professional Standards Council
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Primary Duties / Responsibilities
Primary Duties of the Professional Standards Council
- Advise the State Superintendent on standards for the licensure of teachers, including initial licensure and maintenance and renewal of licenses, to ensure the effective teaching of a relevant curriculum in Wisconsin schools.
- Propose to the State Superintendent standards for evaluating and approving teacher education programs, including continuing education programs.
- Provide to the State Superintendent an ongoing assessment of the complexities of teaching and status of the teaching profession in this state.
- Propose to the State Superintendent policies and practices for school boards and state and local teacher organizations to use in developing effective teaching.
- Propose to the State Superintendent standards and procedures for revoking a teaching license.
- Propose to the State Superintendent ways to recognize excellence in teaching, including the assessment administered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and master educator licensure, and to assist teachers to achieve excellence in teaching.
- Propose to the State Superintendent effective peer assistance and peer mentoring models, including evaluation systems and alternative teacher dismissal procedures for consideration by school boards and labor organizations.
- Review and make recommendations regarding rules proposed by the department that relate to teacher preparation, licensure, and regulation.
- Propose to the State Superintendent alternative procedures for the preparation and licensure of teachers.
- Report annually to the standing committees in each house of the legislature that deal with education matters on the activities and effectiveness of the council.
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Members of the PSC are appointed by the State Superintendent and considered agency officials of the Department of Public Instruction. Council members are recommended by education labor unions, professional organizations, and institutions of higher education. The council is comprised of 20 members consisting of teachers, administrators, pupil service personnel, higher education academicians, parents, school board members, and a teacher in training:
- Two persons licensed and actively employed as elementary teachers in public schools.
- Two persons licensed and actively employed as middle school or high school teachers in public schools.
- Two persons licensed and actively employed as pupil service professionals in public schools.
- One person licensed and actively employed as a special education teacher in a public school.
- Two additional persons licensed and actively employed as teachers in public schools.
- One person licensed and actively employed as a teacher in a private school.
- One public school administrator.
- One public school principal.
- One faculty member of a department of education in the University of Wisconsin System.
- One faculty member of a department of education in a private college.
- One additional faculty member appointed from a list of recommended public and private university instructors.
- Two members of public school boards.
- One person who is a parent with a child in public school.
- One person who is a student in a teacher preparation program located in the state that leads to initial licensure as a teacher.
Each council member serves a three-year term, except for the student member who serves a two-year term. All terms are staggered to ensure the council has ongoing experience. Council members must fill out a Statement of Economic Interest.
For Annual Membership Rosters, see Appendix B below.
For each vacancy on the council, the group or entity authorized to recommend members is required to submit the names of three qualified persons to the State Superintendent. All appointments must be confirmed by the State Senate. Attendance at the confirmation hearing is not required.
As a representative on the council, the following are some recommended guidelines to consider:
- Become familiar with Wis. Admin Code PI 34, in particular provisions that have a direct impact on the population you represent.
- Be aware of new rules/guidelines that may be developed that will have a direct impact on the population you represent.
- Gather information/points of view from other professionals in your work environment or constituents you may represent that may widen your perspective as a council member.
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APPENDIX B: PSC Membership Roster
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Meeting Schedule and Structure
The Professional Standards Council is mandated to meet no less than two times per year. In recent years, three meetings have been scheduled each calendar year. Meetings are scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. and will adjourn at approximately 2:00 p.m.
Please see PSC Meeting Minutes and Agendas (Appendix C) below for currently scheduled Professional Standard Council meetings.
The primary role of the PSC is to advise the State Superintendent by making recommendations on a variety of issues relating to teaching in Wisconsin. The council can also propose solutions and policy recommendations that respond to the complexities of teaching and the status of teaching in Wisconsin. These recommendations and proposals result from discussions that take place at the PSC meetings covering a wide variety of topics.
The State Superintendent provides opening remarks and updates at each meeting as scheduling allows. Representatives from the Teacher Education, Professional Development and Licensing team (TEPDL) are often in attendance as well. The director and a staff person from the TEPDL team are direct liaisons from the DPI to the PSC.
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APPENDIX C: PSC Meeting Minutes and Agendas
| Year |
Meeting Dates |
Minutes/Agenda |
|---|
|
2020-2021
|
November 11, 2020
|
Agenda
Minutes
|
|---|
| |
February 5, 2021
|
Agenda
Minutes
|
|---|
| |
May 14, 2021
|
|
|---|
|
2019-2020
|
October 25, 2019
|
Agenda
Minutes
|
|---|
|
|
February 7, 2020
|
Agenda
Minutes
|
|---|
| |
April 2020
|
Agenda
|
|---|
|
2018-2019
|
September 28, 2018 |
Minutes |
| |
April 12, 2019 |
Minutes |
| 2017-2018 |
October 9, 2017
|
Minutes
PowerPoint
|
| |
January 22, 2018 |
Minutes |
| |
February 23 |
Minutes |
| |
April 9, 2018 |
Minutes |
| 2016-2017 |
September 30, 2016
October 10, 2016
November 15, 2016
January 23, 2017
February 24, 2017
April 3, 2017
May 2, 2017
June, 16, 2017
|
Minutes
Minutes
Minutes
Minutes
Minutes
Minutes
PowerPoint
Minutes
Minutes
|
| 2015-2016 |
October 5, 2015
November 10, 2015
January 25, 2016
April 11, 2016
June 14, 2016
|
Minutes
Minutes
Minutes
Minutes
Minutes
|
| 2014-2015 |
October 6, 2014
April 13, 2015
|
Minutes
Minutes
|
|
2013-2014
|
September 30, 2013
January 13, 2014
April 7, 2014
|
Minutes
Minutes
Minutes
|
| 2012-2013 |
October 22, 2012
January 14, 2013
|
Minutes
Minutes
|
|
2011-2012
|
October 10, 2011
January 9, 2012
April 23, 2012
|
Minutes
Minutes
Minutes
|
|
2010-2011
|
October 25, 2010
January 10, 2011
April 4, 2011
|
Minutes
Minutes
Minutes
|
|
2009-2010
|
October 19, 2009
January 11, 2010
April 12, 2010
July 19, 2010
|
Minutes
Minutes
Minutes
Minutes
|
|
2008-2009
|
April 20, 2009
January 12, 2009
October 27, 2008
|
Minutes
Minutes
Minutes
|
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APPENDIX A: PSC Annual Reports
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DPI Liaison/Staff for PSC
Department of Public Instruction staff serve as liaisons and support staff to the council:
Ariana Baker, Education Specialist
Teacher Education, Professional Development and Licensing
Department of Public Instruction
PO Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-1879
