On the Road

On June 12, State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster and other Pre-K Now board members met via conference call to discuss the group’s recent successes and challenges, their draft strategic plan, goals for state and federal initiatives, and to develop plans for 2007. Pre-K Now collaborates with advocates and policymakers to help establish high-quality, voluntary pre-kindergarten. Their vision is a nation in which every child enters kindergarten prepared to succeed.

On June 13, Burmaster attended a ground breaking ceremony at the United Community Center (UCC) in Milwaukee. UCC is building a Childhood Education Center to accommodate 60 three-year-old Pre-Kindergarten students, and a new Latino Geriatric Center which will accommodate 70 elderly residents. The event was called Opening Doors for Two Generations.

“UCC has shown a dedication to the community and recognition of the wide range of services that are needed to support community residents,” Burmaster told the audience. “Your commitment to early education is vital and comprehensive. As an MPS charter school you have demonstrated this commitment through your educational programs for four-year-old children. Now this commitment will be expanded to three-year-old children as well. Congratulations on realizing this dream, and thank you for your lasting commitment to education.”

The PK-16 Leadership Council, led by Burmaster, UW System President Kevin Reilly, Wisconsin Technical College System President Dan Clancy, and Rolf Wegenke, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, held their Programs of Distinction and Promising Practices awards ceremony on June 14. Burmaster provided an overview of teacher education initiatives and congratulated the award winners, and each of the other Counccil leaders made presentations at the meeting.

“Each of the programs of distinction and promising practices being recognized today has an important element in common. They are strengthened and sustained because of collaboration and partnerships,” said Burmaster. “Research confirms that it is what the teacher knows, and is able to do in the classroom, that influences student learning. Wisconsin’s students rank among the best in the nation because Wisconsin educators are among the finest in the country. Ensuring a Quality Educator in every classroom and strong leadership in every school is the centerpiece of our New Wisconsin Promise to raise achievement for all students and close the gap between economically disadvantaged students, students of color, and their peers.”

That evening, the state superintendent spoke to about 1,400 attendees at a general session of the Wisconsin State FFA Convention in Madison. “This convention is a celebration of the success of each of you in agriculture education and in FFA,” said Burmaster. “Your communities are to be commended for their support of your personal and chapter goals. Rural Wisconsin and agriculture are the backbone of Wisconsin’s economy, and we need to build on our tradition as we work to grow our economy in the twenty-first century. You will be the leaders, carrying on this long and proud tradition in Wisconsin.”

Burmaster was awarded the FFA’s State Distinguished Service Citation following her remarks. The citation, the highest award presented by FFA, recognizes outstanding contributions made to advancing agricultural education. The citation reads, in part, “Your contributions and unending support have allowed Wisconsin FFA members and agricultural education students to achieve paramount levels of success.”

On June 20, the state superintendent and First Lady Jessica Doyle honored Wisconsin’s Presidential Scholars at a reception at the Executive Residence. “Our future is, in great measure, determined by the educational opportunities we provide our young people, opportunities that encourage critical thinking, self-expression, problem solving, and decision making,” said Burmaster. “These 14 Wisconsin high school seniors have received one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. We are extremely proud of the dedication and excellence each of you has displayed in your pursuit of a quality, well-rounded education.” A photo gallery of the event is available here.

Selection for the Presidential Scholars program is based on broad academic achievement, including college admission test scores, essays, and transcripts, as well as evidence of leadership, character, and commitment to high ideals.

On June 21, Burmaster welcomed about 400 K-12 teachers and administrators to the Wisconsin School Leadership Academy summer conference, a professional development event during which teams of educators share information and develop action plans to incorporate new strategies into their school improvement plans.

“The Wisconsin School Leadership Academy is a strong example of quality professional development. Your presence here demonstrates your dedication and commitment,” Burmaster said. “We have developed a state-wide school improvement support system to promote professional development and those programs and initiatives that we know will raise achievement and close the gap. To lift achievement in all schools and districts, students need the support of their parents, families, and communities. We all must be united in one goal: To help all Wisconsin children succeed. Thank you for all you do and for striving to be the best you can, recognizing that your own professional growth and collaboration is the best example you can set.”

On June 22, the state superintendent hosted another in her series of listening sessions on the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Participants in the conversation café-style meeting discussed what is and is not working well in the current law, and proposed changes that they would recommend.

Burmaster is chair of a national task force on NCLB reauthorization for the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). She also is president-elect of CCSSO, and will assume the presidency in November. Over the last several months, Burmaster has met with groups to listen to and gather information about NCLB in Wisconsin. The process will continue over the next two months to hear from educators, parents, education organization leaders, school administrators, early childhood and community leaders, school board members, and others. “We have heard and continue to hear ideas for improvements and changes that would make NCLB more effective at increasing achievement and closing the achievement gap, and allow our state to better support and improve schools identified for improvement,” said Burmaster.

Last updated on 6/26/2006