Thiesfeldt & Farrow Announce Common Core Hearings
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | October 1, 2013
Yesterday, State Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) and State Senator Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee) announced four joint Assembly and Senate Special Select Committee on Common Core Standards hearings around the state.
The first hearing is scheduled for Thursday, October 3rd from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in room 417 North of the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Other hearings include:
Thursday, October 17th (2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) Fond du Lac – City/County Building
Wednesday, October 23rd (2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) Eau Claire – Chippewa Valley Technical College
Wednesday, October 30th (2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) Wausau – Northcentral Technical College
More information to follow.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
CCSS Hearing Pushed Back to Noon on October 3rd
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | September 30, 2013
Senator Paul Farrow’s office has confirmed that Thursday’s hearing on the Common Core has been pushed back until Noon to accommodate the Senate Education Committee public hearing that begins at 10:00am. The CCSS hearing will then continue into the evening hours. The formal hearing notice will be issued soon.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Come To Madison On October 3rd!
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | September 30, 2013
Numerous SAA members have contacted the SAA office with interest in testifying at, and seeking more information about, the first public hearing on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
It is vitally important that we have a strong presence at this hearing. District administrators, directors of instruction and others, please consider clearing your calendars and joining us in Madison on Thursday, October 3rd. This is an outstanding opportunity to dispel misconceptions about the CCSS and to deliver an unequivocal message that the high expectations embodied in the CCSS are good for the children we serve. It is equally important that you reach out to your legislators with the same message about the Common Core.
Staff from the office of Senator Paul Farrow (chair, Senate Select Committee on the Common Core) indicated that the formal public notice for the hearing would be issued later today. They did confirm that the hearing will be conducted on Thursday, October 3rd from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Room 417 North, State Capitol.
Apparently there will be a time limit for testimony, but it has not yet been established. Those planning to testify should prepare written remarks and bring 20 copies for the committee. Also be able to access an electronic version of your statement.
In order to testify early, I am assuming you will need to arrive very early in the morning to secure a place in line to register to testify. Under normal conditions, the Capitol opens for the public at 8:00 a.m. each morning. I would arrive before then. I am assuming that people will testify on a first come, first serve basis. Registration to testify will take place outside of the hearing room.
We will continue seeking clarity on several of these issues. When we have additional information to share, we will post it.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
GOP Leaders Create Common Core Committees; First Hearing Oct. 3
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | September 26, 2013
Late yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos announced select committees on Common Core education standards.
Wisconsin adopted the Common Core State Standards for math and English language arts in 2010, according to DPI’s website. But the program has been controversial in some corners, and the leaders said the committees will hold hearings and review the standards, implementation and alternatives.
In the Assembly, Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt, R-Fond du Lac, will chair the committee. He will be joined by: Reps. Dean Knudson, R-Hudson; Don Pridemore, R-Hartford; Jeff Stone, R-Greendale; Jim Steineke, R- Kaukauna; Michael Schraa, R-Oshkosh; Sondy Pope, D-Cross Plains; Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee; and Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton.
In the Senate, Sen. Paul Farrow, R-Pewaukee, will chair the committee. Other GOP members include Alberta Darling of River Hills and Leah Vukmir of Wauwatosa. Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson plans to appoint Sens. John Lehman of Racine and Tim Cullen of Janesville to the committee, his office said.
The Assembly committee has not scheduled any hearings yet, but the Senate committee has scheduled its first hearing at the Capitol in Madison on Thursday, October 3, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. As with any controversial topic, it is a given that those opposed will show up and be heard. If your schedule permits, this is a great opportunity to explain the advantages of the Common Core and dispel misconceptions about how standards affect what happens in the classroom. It is vitally important that we have a strong presence at these hearings. It is equally important that you reach out to your legislators with the same message about the Common Core.
Despite the frustration SAA members must be feeling at the continuing misinformation on the Common Core, our message with our legislators and the media must continue to be factual and “high-road.”
If you are interested in testifying at the October 3 hearing please contact the SAA office. We can assist you in facilitating and coordinating your testimony.
Thanks for listening and, as always, thank you for everything you do on behalf of Wisconsin school children.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Walker: WI Can Do Better Than Common Core
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | September 24, 2013
Lest you think there is a question about who is winning the battle over the Common Core inside the State Capitol, here is a twitter screen capture of a post by the Wisconsin Reporter this morning at 9:25:
In addition to Governor Walker’s comments, Capitol sources indicate Speaker Vos is preparing to create a Speaker’s Task Force on the Common Core presumably to develop alternative academic standards to the Common Core. Please review yesterday’s SAA post on the Common Core and take a few minutes to contact your legislators.
It looks like the mess I spoke of in yesterday’s post is already upon us.
Topics: NoEmailCategory, SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications | No Comments »