Vol, 6, No. 31: October 15, 2007		Get SEAchange by email

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1. On the road

On Monday, October 8, State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster chaired a meeting of the Council of Chief State School Officers 21st Century Task Force, where the Task Force White Paper on 21st Century Teaching and Learning was reviewed. The purpose of the white paper is to spur discussion within and between states about the needs of today's students. The report will also include policy recommendations for state education leaders.

On Tuesday, October 9, Burmaster was at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Madison to announce, with Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Art Rainwater, the awarding of $710,000 over two years in Continuous Improvement Grants to the district. The funding will be used for programs that raise student achievement and help close the achievement gaps between economically disadvantaged students, students of color, and their peers.

Tuesday was also Wisconsin Higher Education Day (see article #2). The State Superintendent highlighted the day's importance during a meeting with her Collaborative Council, a group of education leaders from across Wisconsin who work to improve education in the state. As part of the meeting, the ADP/P21 Leadership Team joined the council to go over its timeline. The ADP/P21 project is reviewing Wisconsin standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics in order to improve students’ transition from high school to the world of work or postsecondary learning options.

On Wednesday, October 10, Burmaster updated the PK-16 Leadership Council on the ADP/P21 efforts. The PK-16 Leadership Council is a group of leaders of Wisconsin's state government, state agencies, education sectors, professional associations, as well as business and industry. The Council works to ensure that all students are prepared to live in and contribute to a vibrant 21st Century society.

On Thursday, October 11, the State Superintendent convened her Learning Lab on Service-Learning, a group interested in providing opportunities for students to deepen their education through applying their knowledge in projects that help their communities. First Lady Jessica Doyle participated in the Learning Lab.

That evening, Burmaster delivered the keynote address at the Annual Fall Conference of the Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted. She told the attendees that ensuring a quality education for all children means that "for those children whose needs involve high academic ability, exceptional creativity, strong leadership, and artistic talent—they too—must not be left behind."

On Saturday, October 13, Burmaster met with the board of the Wisconsin Education Association Council to update them on work of the Department of Public Instruction around closing achievement gaps.

Sunday, October 14, saw the State Superintendent was interviewed about current education topics for the Sunday morning show on Madison's NBC-15 TV.

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Last updated on 10/22/2007