Districts of Innovation
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | September 13, 2017
The recent public hearing on Assembly Bill 221, relating to the minimum number of hours of instruction (see SAA Testimony), focused considerable attention on efforts designed to provide operational and instructional flexibility for Wisconsin school districts. Given this attention, we think this is a perfect opportunity to remind SAA members of the opportunities for flexibility afforded to all Wisconsin school districts under the Districts of Innovation program.
The SAA was the driving force behind Districts of Innovation with SAA members making up 9 of 10 members of the Innovation Working Group charged with advising DPI on the development of the program earlier this year. Under this program, if districts can demonstrate that state laws or regulations are impeding their efforts to improve outcomes for children and articulate a different approach to improving student achievement, DPI will use its authority to get those barriers out of the way.
The working group reviewed innovation policies in other states and created a streamlined innovation process complete with a short state application.
While other states require cumbersome 100+ page applications with extensive documentation, Wisconsin has taken a simplified approach that places responsibility for community engagement, policy review, and goal setting with local school districts. The DPI’s role is to provide technical assistance and ensure the proposed innovation protects student rights.
Through the Innovation District application, districts can request district-wide or school-specific exemptions from state law or administrative rules to implement innovative practices or reduce barriers to student learning, with the goal of improving outcomes for all students. Once approved by DPI, waivers are in effect for four years and are renewable for additional four-year intervals with evidence of improved student outcomes.
Special thanks to the members of the Innovation Working Group, including:
- Jon Bales, Executive Director, Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA)
- Kevin Bruggink, Superintendent, Oostburg School District
- Jim Erickson, District Administrator, Webster School District
- Mark Hansen, Superintendent, Elmbrook School District
- Nancy Hendrickson, District Administrator, Highland School District
- Gregg Goers, Teacher, Neenah High School, Neenah School District
- Michelle Langenfeld, Superintendent, Green Bay Area Public School District
- Ted Neitzke, Administrator, Cooperative Educational Service Agency 6
- Randy Nelson. Superintendent, La Crosse School District
- Sue Savaglio-Jarvis, Superintendent, Kenosha Unified School District
The SAA encourages SAA members to look into the opportunities for flexibility afforded to all districts under Districts of Innovation. More information about Districts of Innovation and the application process can be found on the Districts of Innovation website. You can also contact WASDA Executive Director Jon Bales for his insights.
Thanks for listening and, as always, thanks for all your efforts on behalf of the children you serve.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
LFB Releases Comparative Budget Summary
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | September 12, 2017
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau has released their budget summary comparing the governor’s proposal with the bill as it emerged from the Joint Finance Committee.
The Public Instruction portion of the summary is linked here.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Controversial Online Teacher Prep Program Allowed in Budget Provision
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | September 11, 2017
“A provision in the proposed state budget is raising the ire of educators and leaders of Wisconsin’s schools of education who say it would lower the quality of new teachers in the classroom, most likely in schools with the neediest children.
At issue is a measure that would require the state Department of Public Instruction to issue teaching licenses to graduates of an alternative certification program.
The budget doesn’t explicitly name a particular provider; state law prohibits that. But members of the Wisconsin Association of Colleges for Teacher Education said it’s almost certainly aimed at the Atlanta-based American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence, a controversial nonprofit that operates in 12 states and has been trying to get a foothold in Wisconsin for years.”
Check out the remainder of the news story by Annysa Johnson of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel here.
Also, see the statement released by the Wisconsin Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (WACTE).
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Walker Could Use Partial Veto Power on Foxconn, Budget Bills
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | September 11, 2017
Over the next several weeks, Gov. Scott Walker could have an unprecedented opportunity to use his partial veto authority — one of the most powerful in the nation.
In addition to the two-year, $76 billion budget bill, the Senate and Assembly will vote on legislation to provide up to $2.85 billion in cash payments to a Taiwanese technology company in exchange for a massive flat screen plant in southeastern Wisconsin.
Check out the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Coverage here.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Recap of Assembly Education Committee Hearing
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | September 8, 2017
The Assembly Committee on Education held a public hearing on Thursday, September 7th on the bills listed below. The SAA testified on two of the bills, supporting one and opposing another, as noted below.
Assembly Bill 159. Relating to: policies regulating the use of electronic smoking devices on school district property. SAA took no position on the bill.
Assembly Bill 221. Relating to: creating a pilot program under which certain school districts are not required to provide a minimum number of hours of direct pupil instruction. The SAA testified in support of the bill. Also testifying in support of the bill were Superintendents Mary Pfeiffer (Neenah) and Jim Smasal (Kewauskum), as well as CESA 6 Administrator Ted Neitzke.
Assembly Bill 215. Relating to: education about nutrition. The SAA testified in opposition to the bill.
Assembly Bill 477. Relating to: supplemental aid for school districts with a large area. The SAA took no position on the bill.
Assembly Bill 488. Relating to: access to pupil assessments that are required to be administered by school boards, operators of independent charter schools, and private schools participating in a parental choice program and repealing rules related to accessing pupil assessments. The SAA took no position on the bill.
Topics: Legislative Action, SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »