News from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/newsroom.html en-us benson.gardner@dpi.wi.gov Wisconsin’s graduation rates increased between the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years, ensuring the state’s near, if not top, ranking in the nation for the percentage of students who successfully complete high school. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_66.pdf Thu, 17 May 2012 01:00:00 CDT Overall results for the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) science assessment showed Wisconsin students exceeding national average results by eight scale score points. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_65.pdf Thu, 10 May 2012 09:00:00 CDT Two students from Wisconsin have been named the state’s recipients of the 2012 Presidential Scholars award. Suman Gunasekaran, James Madison Memorial High School in Madison, and Emma C. Fallone, Whitefish Bay High School, will be recognized at a ceremony sponsored by the White House June 16 where they will receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_63.pdf Thu, 03 May 2012 14:00:00 CDT "Teacher Appreciation Week is held each year during the first full week of May. It is a special time to recognize the efforts of the women and men who educate our children. Whether it is through a phone call, card, e-mail or other contact, it means a lot to a teacher to hear of the success of a former student or the thanks of a grateful parent," said State Superintendent Tony Evers in a guest editorial for Teacher Appreciation Week. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_62.pdf Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:00:00 CDT "Congratulations to Middleton High School, Dimensions of Learning Academy in Kenosha, and Purdy Elementary School in Fort Atkinson for being recognized for their efforts to improve the overall health and environment of their greater school communities," said State Superintendent Tony Evers as he recognized the trio for winning the first ever Green Ribbon Schools award, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_60.pdf Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:00:00 CDT Public school districts throughout the state will share $32.5 million in library aid from the Common School Fund, the only state aid specifically designated for the purchase of materials for school libraries. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_56.pdf Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:00:00 CDT The state's annual school staff report shows that school districts cut 2,312 positions for the 2011-12 school year, a 50 percent increase in staff losses from the previous school year. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_58.pdf Wed, 18 Apr 2012 09:00:00 CDT State Superintendent Tony Evers named 11 business and industry partnerships as 2012 Business Friends of Education to recognize their dedication to youth and initiatives that provide hands-on experiences that will help students graduate well prepared for college and career. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_57.pdf Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:30:00 CDT State Superintendent Tony Evers issued a guest editorial in honor of the April 8 to 15 observance of National Library Week. In the editorial he notes that, “Libraries have been a lifeline in this difficult economy, reaching out to all ages with programs and services to meet local needs.” http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_53.pdf Thu, 5 Apr 2012 15:15:00 CDT The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is distributing federal grant funding to improve nutrition, health, and wellness in child care facilities and family day care homes throughout the state. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_43.pdf Mon, 2 Apr 2012 12:00:00 CDT State Superintendent Tony Evers joined Governor Scott Walker today at Franklin Elementary School in Wausau as the governor signed important education legislation into law related to educator effectiveness and student literacy. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_52.pdf Mon, 2 Apr 2012 09:15:00 CDT Wisconsin’s 2012 Principals of the Year, recognized today by Tony Evers, state superintendent of public instruction, and Jim Lynch, executive director for the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA), are experienced administrators whose leadership inspires staff and students in their schools. The 2012 Wisconsin Principals of the Year are: Daniel Koch, Principal, Hudson Middle School; William McClone, Principal, Lincoln Elementary School, Appleton; David Mueller of Greenville, Associate Principal, Appleton North High School and Principal Appleton Career Academy; and Gregg Wieczorek of Pewaukee, Principal, Arrowhead Union High School, Hartland. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_46.pdf Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:30:00 CDT Mathematics achievement was up from last school year and gaps in achievement between subgroups of students continued to close across the state on annual examinations that are part of the Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS). http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_48.pdf Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:00:00 CDT Students in both the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) and Parental Private School Choice Program (PPSCP) for Racine took the same assessments as public school students statewide. For both private school choice programs, the percentage of students scoring at the proficient or advanced achievement levels was close to being the same or lower than their local school districts and all were significantly below statewide averages. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_49.pdf Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:00:00 CDT For the eighth consecutive year, student eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals increased in Wisconsin; for the current school year, 42.5 percent of students qualify based on family income. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_42.pdf Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:45:00 CDT Projects that foster partnerships and develop the habits of literacy, farm safety, environmental stewardship, and community service are among nine that State Superintendent Tony Evers will recognize with "Standing Up for Rural Wisconsin Schools, Libraries, and Communities" awards March 12 in Madison. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_40.pdf Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:30:00 CST The resolve to fix his broken cell phone turned into a successful business for Austin White-Pentony and earned him Young Entrepreneur of the Year honors for his Mad Town Phone Sales operation. White-Pentony was chosen from among 13 finalists from throughout the state. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_36.pdf Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:30:00 CST State Superintendent Tony Evers submitted Wisconsin’s application for a waiver from portions of federal education law to create a better and more comprehensive accountability system that calls for increased rigor that will result in better outcomes for all students. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_35.pdf Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:00:00 CST Smoking is down. Seatbelt use is up. Overall Wisconsin students feel safe at school, yet there are troubling trends in results from the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_34.pdf Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:30:00 CST Wisconsin is among seven states that have formed leadership teams to support the College Readiness Partnership, a national collaborative effort to implement the Common Core State Standards so students truly are ready for college or careers when they complete high school. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_07.pdf Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:30:00 CST Fifty-six high schools in 19 school districts throughout the state are sharing $3.8 million in federal grant money this year to keep students engaged in their education through a safe and supportive school environment. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_17.pdf Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:30:00 CST Advanced Placement (AP) continues steady growth in Wisconsin public high schools and student performance both beats the nation and places Wisconsin as the best in the 13-state Midwest region, according to data in the “Eighth Annual AP Report to the Nation.” http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_27.pdf Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00:00 CST There’s a lot to talk about as we observe Career and Technical Education Month in Wisconsin, say State Supt. Tony Evers and Wis. Tech. College System Pres. Dan Clancy. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_11.pdf Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:30:00 CST Today the State Superintendent’s Digital Learning Advisory Council completed its task of creating a plan to guide digital learning in Wisconsin schools. A Vision for Digital Learning in Wisconsin is a blueprint, including recommendations and action items, to help schools and education partners chart their future courses regarding technology. It is presented in the form of a website. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_26.pdf Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:00 CST State Superintendent Tony Evers and Department of Financial Institutions Secretary Peter Bildsten issued an editorial on the importance of teaching personal financial literacy in school. “Students who are financially literate when they graduate from high school will be better equipped to handle the economic decisions they will face as adults,” they said. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_23.pdf Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:30:00 CST State Superintendent Tony Evers will open Wisconsin’s Digital Learning Day Showcase at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The event will feature digital learning activities in school districts throughout the state. At 3:30 p.m., he will host a Digital Town Hall Meeting. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_25.pdf Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:00:00 CST Wisconsin’s open enrollment application window for the 2012-13 school year opens Feb. 6, allowing parents an opportunity to send their children to any public school district in the state. Senate Bill 2, which extends the application period from three weeks to three months, has passed the Legislature and awaits action by the governor. The new law will be effective when the bill is signed by the governor and published by the secretary of state. Upon enactment, the open enrollment application period will be from Feb. 6 to April 30. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_13.pdf Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:30:00 CST In an editorial about Wisconsin’s request for a waiver from several provisions of federal education law, State Superintendent Tony Evers stresses that the flexibility is being sought so we can improve the education for the state’s kindergarten through 12th-grade students. “Though change may sometimes be difficult, the future demands that we move forward,” he said. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_22.pdf Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:45:00 CST Wisconsin’s request for waivers from several provisions of federal education law creates the expectation that every child will graduate ready for college and careers by setting higher standards for students, educators, and schools. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_15.pdf Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:00:00 CST State Superintendent Tony Evers issued a statement regarding proposed legislation on education. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_18.pdf Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:45:00 CST Eight Wisconsin elementary schools are nominees for the 2012 national Blue Ribbon Schools program for their success at improving student achievement. The schools are: Arena Elementary School, River Valley School District; Doudna Elementary School, Richland School District; Jerstad-Agerholm Elementary School, Racine Unified School District; Kennedy Elementary School, Stevens Point Area Public School District; Magee Elementary School, Kettle Moraine School District; Nasonville Elementary School, Marshfield Unified School District; Rockfield Elementary School; Germantown School District; and Sunset Ridge Elementary School, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_04.pdf Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:45:00 CST State Superintendent Tony Evers today called on Assembly Republicans to take up legislation that would close the voucher school expansion loophole created in the 2011-13 state budget. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_10.pdf Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:30:00 CST Deepening the knowledge and skills of classroom teachers is the priority for $1.7 million in federal funding for Mathematics and Science Partnership Grants in Wisconsin. The three new two-year grants and four renewal grants will provide training for hundreds of teachers in school districts throughout the state. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_01.pdf Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:00:00 CST State Superintendent Tony Evers issued the following statement regarding proposed legislation pertaining to the seclusion and restraint of students. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_09.pdf Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:10:00 CST State Superintendent Tony Evers has proclaimed Feb. 1 as Digital Learning Day in Wisconsin, part of a first-ever national effort to highlight successful and innovative examples of digital learning. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_03.pdf Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:30:00 CST State Superintendent Tony Evers issued a statement on the Read to Lead Task Force report and plan announced at a press conference today in Greendale by Gov. Scott Walker. Dr. Evers was vice chair of the task force. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_05.pdf Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:00:00 CST State Superintendent Tony Evers proclaimed January 9 to 13 as Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week in honor of the adult school crossing guards who help children walk safely to and from school throughout the school year. http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2012_02.pdf Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:30:00 CST