Draft standards published in social studies and environmental literacy and sustainability

MADISON — As part of the ongoing standards review and revision process, public comment is now open on new draft academic standards in social studies and environmental literacy and sustainability. Additionally, notices of intent to review academic standards and public surveys have been posted for school counseling and theatre.

Academic standards establish grade-band expectations for students across a given subject area. Standards across grade bands guide connections and enrichment, ensuring that students gain a deeper level of learning in the subject area as they progress through school.

School counseling and theatre are in the first stage of the review and revision process with the notice of intent to review and the posting of a public comments survey for both subjects. The State Superintendent’s Standards Review Council will examine those comments and recommend whether or not to revise or develop standards in that academic area.

The state superintendent authorized a formal rewrite of the state’s social studies and environmental literacy and sustainability standards based on the recommendation of the State Superintendent’s Standards Review Council. For each set of standards, a panel of Wisconsin experts was convened to develop new standards. Each panel was made up of classroom educators, school leaders, and higher education, with input from business owners and groups.

Comments on the two sets of standards will be collected over a 30-day period through the department’s academic standards website. Two hearings will be held during the comment period to gather additional public feedback. The first hearing will be in Oshkosh on Monday, Feb. 12, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at CESA 6, Collaborations Conference Room, 2300 State Road 44, Oshkosh, and the second will be in Madison on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Department of Public Instruction, GEF 3, Room P41, 125 South Webster Street, Madison.

During the public comment period, the standards will be submitted to the Assembly and Senate Education committees for legislative review and comment. The State Superintendent’s Standards Writing committees will review all comments, both from the public and the Legislature, and incorporate any necessary changes before submitting the standards to the State Superintendent’s Standards Review Council for its review of the process and recommendations. The standards will then be submitted to the state superintendent for approval and publication through the Department of Public Instruction.

In Wisconsin, all state standards serve as a model. Authority to adopt academic standards rests with locally elected school boards. More information about the draft standards in social studies and environmental literacy and sustainability can be found on subject area pages on the Department of Public Instruction website. 

Public Hearings

February 12 – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
CESA 6, Collaborations Conference Room
2300 State Road 44, Oshkosh

February 13 – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Department of Public Instruction, Room P41
125 South Webster Street, Madison