Link to PDF

Participating: Elizabeth Burmaster, Richard Carpenter, Katharine Lyall, Rolf Wegenke, Bob Beglinger, David Dies (for Ray Boland), Ken Cole, Cynthia DiCamelli, Winnie Doxsie, Paul Gabriel, Stan Johnson, Joseph Lowndes, Don Stevens (for Fred Schlichting), Judd Schemmel, Miles Turner

Staff Attending: Jayson Chung, Sue Grady, Kathryn Lind, Mari McCarty, Francine Tompkins, Janet Washbon.

Also Attending: Woody Anderson, Ron Jetty, Jack Kean, Ruth Robinson, Karen Showers.
For the Programs of Distinction and Promising Practices: Christine Anderson, David Burrows, Sam Carmen, William Chandler, Dan Donder, Martin Haberman, Sadique Isahaku, Don Jaworski, Thomas McGinnity, Bruce McMurry, Gary Morgan, Becky Rajek, Gerard Randall, Wendy Rowley, Liz Roy, Beth Ryan, Keri Simacek, Jeff Spence, Mary E. Staten, Earl Wheatfall, Mary Williams-Norton, Bud Young, Michele Ziegler, Nancy Zimpher

Unable to Attend: Tom Beattie, Ray Boland, Fran Garb, James Haney, Sheila Harsdorf, Scott Jensen, Robin Kreibich, Gloria Ladson-Billings, Dave Newby, Luther Olsen.

Welcome and Introductions

Education and Economic Development
President Richard Carpenter introduced Secretary of Commerce Cory Nettles and thanked him for coming to speak with the Council. President Carpenter reviewed past discussions regarding the intersection of economic development and an educated citizenry and the need for the Council to play a vital role in an economic plan for the state. Secretary Nettles shared with the Council the state vision and talked about the important role education plays in the economic growth of Wisconsin. He spoke of the challenges and the strength that face Wisconsin and the fluid plan to take Wisconsin forward. He stressed the need for improved collaboration and partnership in this process and looked to the Council for help, not only in these trying economic times, but to help chart the course for the future. President Rolf Wegenke indicated the full support of the Council in these efforts. Attached is the full presentation in PowerPoint.

Update on visits around state: PK-16 Partnerships
Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster shared with the Council her discussions with PK-16 partners around the state during the past year. Nine regional discussions were hosted by University of Wisconsin chancellors with three more to be held soon. Invited guests included regional presidents of technical and private colleges and universities, deans of area UW College campuses, CESA administrators, and others at the request of the host chancellor. These discussions were informal and a starting point to assess what is happening now, what has happened in the past, and to look to the future to see what needs to be done; to move beyond the informal to the formal to promote seamless partnerships in the region. A full report will be available upon completion of these discussions.

Programs of Distinction and Promising Practices
Superintendent Burmaster welcomed those who had come at our invitation to receive recognition as Programs of Distinction and Promising Practices. She briefly explained that these awards were the result of the Council’s desire to recognize best practices across the state in order to promote assessment and programmatic outcomes, enhance the dissemination of quality programming, support existing partnerships, and encourage future collaborative efforts. The Council received 32 applications for three Program of Distinction awards. These were reviewed by Council staff (Fran Garb, Francine Tompkins, Mari McCarty, and Sue Grady), Karen Showers for the Wisconsin Technical College System, and Council members Judd Schemmel of the Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools and Winnie Doxsie of the Wisconsin Parent Teacher Association.

There were many excellent programs and upon review it was decided that the Council should also create a level of recognition for Promising Practices. Superintendent Burmaster thanked the review committee and commended the three Programs of Distinction and six Promising Practices. She then individually invited the Promising Practices to the front to receive a certificate of recognition. The three Programs of Distinction were individually invited to receive a certificate of recognition and a $1,000 check. Each Program of Distinction was also invited to present a short summary of its program. These will be showcased at this Fall’s WASCD Conference October 15-17. Keep watching our website for details.

Programs of Distinction and Promising Practices of 2003 are:

PROGRAMS OF DISTINCTION

Balanced Literacy Initiative
Milwaukee Partnership Academy
Christine Anderson (Contact)
- summary:
A comprehensive literacy program providing balanced skills development within literature-rich activities including reading, writing, listening, speaking, deep thinking, and researching skills.
- review comments:
As an urban PK-16 initiative, the MPA clearly represents the best of educational collaboration by bringing together a diverse group of leaders from the area public schools, public and private post-secondary education sectors, the local education association and school board, as well as business and industry. This high level collaborative effort has resulted in the creation of a program that will have a huge impact on the quality of teaching and learning in the region and serve as a model for statewide efforts.

Regent Gerard Randall, President and CEO of the Private Industry Council of Milwaukee County accepted the award on behalf of the Balanced Literacy Initiative and the Milwaukee Partnership Academy. He invited Christine Anderson and Dan Donder, Co-Executive Directors of the Balanced Literacy Initiative, and members of the Partnership; Sam Carmen, Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, Jeff Spence, Milwaukee Board of School Directors, Earl Wheatfall, Milwaukee Area Technical College, and Nancy Zimpher, UW-Milwaukee to join him in the presentation. Attached is a summary document and a PowerPoint.

National Board Support Program
Alverno College
Mary Diez (Contact)
– summary:
Alverno’s National Board Certification Support Program, a project funded by the Helen Bader Foundation which enabled the college to initiate Wisconsin’s first formal program to support and assist teachers preparing to achieve this certification.
- review comments:
The nature of this collaboration, which includes representatives from Alverno College and both public and private school districts is impressive. The key program activities are clearly grounded in sound research on effective teaching and learning and should be replicable within a variety of educational settings. The documented rate of success for teachers seeking National Board Certification through the Alverno program is certainly testimony to the efficacy of the program.

Mary E. Staten, Milwaukee Public Schools accepted the award on behalf of the National Board Support Program at Alverno College and Mary Diez. She, along with Wendy Rowley, both of the Milwaukee School District, gave an overview of the program and it accomplishments to date. Attached are handouts.

Graphic Communication Technologies Program
Northcentral Technical College
Beth Ryan (Contact)
– summary:
The GCT program utilizes an innovative approach to achieving and assessing outcomes that optimizes student learning and success and prepares students for transitions in their education and careers at three critical junctions: high school, technical college, and work or advanced studies.
- review comments:
This partnership, which includes representatives from Northcentral Technical College, local schools, and area businesses, is exemplary. The activities reflect practices that effectively assist students in their transition from school to work and contribute to furthering the role of education as a stimulus for economic growth in Wisconsin.

Beth Ryan and Bud Young of Northcentral Technical College accepted the award. In the audience were their spouses Jane and Mike along with a colleague from NCTC, Becky Rajek. Handouts are attached.

PROMISING PRACTICES

Thursdays at Merrill: Real Science, Real Students, Real Teaching and Real Learning
Beloit College
Kathleen Greene (Contact)
– summary:
During the past nine years, Beloit College has built and refined a small, organic, no-budget, no-frills program that meets the different but intersecting needs of diverse constituents. In this program, pre-service teachers, working in small groups in a high-need school, learn to design curriculum, teach lessons, and guide fifth graders in science and mathematics inquiry throughout a full semester.
- review comments:
The focus of this program directly addresses the need to provide a broad range of experiences for teacher candidates. The program is grounded in sound research for teaching and learning and the central activities should be highly replicable across a variety of settings.

Sadique Isahaku accepted on behalf of Beloit College. Dean David Burrows was also present.

Electronic Portfolios for Art Teachers
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Sheri Klein (Contact)
– summary:
UW System art educators partnered with K-12 art teachers and several consultants in the areas of electronic portfolio development, assessment, and art education to create a framework for pre-service art teacher portfolios in keeping with new state licensure requirements.
- review comments:
The ability to integrate technology into the new teacher licensure process is highly commendable. The emphasis on reflective writing has application for both pre- and in-service teachers. Based on the details provided, this project should be easily replicated across a variety of contexts.

Accepting on behalf of Sheri Klein was William Chandler from UW-Whitewater.

Math and Science Pre-college Program
University of Wisconsin Colleges
UW-Barron County
Sue Mofle (Contact)
– summary:
The program involves two institutions of higher education working with K-12 school district personnel to enhance math and science education, and promote career awareness in these areas among Native American and disadvantaged students, grades seven through twelve.
- review comments:
This partnership includes representatives from the University of Wisconsin-Barron County and Lac Courtes Oreilles Ojibwa Community College as well as representatives from area school districts. The plans to conduct follow up assessments, including tracking achievement over time, are commendable.

Sue Mofle of UW-Barron County and Tracey Mofle of LCO Ojibwa College were not able to attend.

Rural Northeast Wisconsin House Project
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Gary Morgan (Contact)
– summary:
Students get training and/or experience in everything from site selection, to concrete work, and landscaping. Graduates of the project receive both high school and technical college credit for their work. Students are able to use the program as a steppingstone to further their education through NWTC, or enter directly into the construction trades.
- review comments:
This partnership includes representatives from the public schools, CESA, NWTC, and local business and industry. With a focus on integrating math and communication skills within the construction trade, they have designed an innovative program that is grounded in sound educational principles. They have demonstrated that students in the program have achieved the desired learning outcomes and they have increased the likelihood of high school completion for students who have traditional been at-risk. In addition, the R-NEW House Project is an example of how education can be an engine for economic growth in Wisconsin.

Gary Morgan accepted the award in person. Don Jaworski also attended and left the attached information regarding the program.

MTEC Alternative Teacher Certification Program
Milwaukee Teacher Education Center
Pat Ann Sheahan (Contact)
– summary:
The Milwaukee Teacher Education Center (MTEC) is a not-for-profit, innovative, alternative teacher certification program whose goal is to provide qualified, diverse teachers who are committed to and connect with the children of Milwaukee Public Schools.
- review comments:
This partnership includes representatives from Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee teachers’ union, UW-Milwaukee School of Education, and representatives from the Milwaukee business community. This initiative demonstrated improvement in retention rates for teachers receiving certification through MTEC. Plans for program assessment, particularly those linking student learning with quality teaching, have the potential to inform teacher preparation practices across the state.

Accepting the award was Thomas McGinnity, UW-Milwaukee. Also present was Martin Haberman, UW-Milwaukee.

Project Madog: Investigating Science, Mathematics and Technology in Wisconsin and Beyond
Ripon College
Mary Williams-Norton (Contact)
– summary:
As they participate in this project, Ripon College teacher education students, their teacher mentors in area schools, and the children in classrooms in Wisconsin and Wales, are learning inquiry techniques as well as communication skills in science, mathematics, and technology.
- review comments:
The partnerships that have been established among teacher education students, teacher mentors and local public school students is certainly complemented by the international connection with the Welsh primary school and the University of Wales Bangor. Collaborative ventures such as this serve to strengthen the transition from pre-service teacher to in-service teacher. The focus on developing content expertise in science and mathematics, coupled with an emphasis on learning through engaged inquiry, is commendable. The use of technology to facilitate school-to-school communication is certainly a practice that can be replicated across a variety of contexts.

Accepting the award with Mary Williams-Norton were Keri Simacek, Liz Roy, Bruce McMurry. Tom Verda, a school teacher at Merrill Elementary, was unable to attend.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

Reminder of meetings:
October 15, 2003 – UWSA Location

Back to agenda

Notes Recorded by:
Dace A. Zeps
Program Assistant
PK-16 Initiatives
Office of Academic and Student Services
University of Wisconsin System
Madison, WI 53706
608-262-3767 / dzeps@uwsa.edu