January 24, 2005	Volume 4, Number 3

On The Road

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster attended Wisconsin's 25th annual tribute honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on January 17 in the Capitol Rotunda. The ceremony was hosted by Wisconsin Public Radio's Jonathan Overby. Guest speakers included former CNN personality Andria Hall, with performances by the Chicago Mass Choir, UW-Madison Gospel Choir, Milwaukee's Christ the King Children's Choir, and the Highway to Heaven Big Band.

On January 18, Burmaster met with15 science educators from around the state who have formed a working committee to develop a draft for the science assessment framework, which must be changed as a result of the reauthorized federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This was the first meeting of the committee.

Burmaster spoke at the general session of the 84th state education convention in Milwaukee on January 19. The annual meeting of public school policymakers includes members of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, and the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials. "Every year, your three organizations come together in a spirit of shared commitment and collaboration. In these trying times, we all must continue to work together as educational leaders to ensure a lasting investment in our schools," Burmaster said. She also presented awards to the principles and teachers of the year.

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster presents an award to Ken Cole, Executive Direector of the WIsconsin Association of Schools Boards

On January 20, Burmaster visited a four-year-old kindergarten (4K) program at Elm Grove Child Care Center in LaCrosse. The program is unique in that a licensed teacher provides 4K programming at a child care center. The State Superintendent toured the facility, read to the children, and met with a group of educators, including a child care director, teacher, assistant superintendent, principal, program assistant, and community liaison. Burmaster complimented the program as a wonderful example of successful community approaches to 4K education.

For questions about this information, contact Ronald R. Anderson (608) 266-3374

Last updated on 8/12/2005 8:07:49 PM