A back-to-school editorial by State Superintendent Tony Evers
The new school year is an exciting time. Students meet new teachers, reconnect with friends, and have an opportunity to learn the knowledge and skills they need to graduate ready for the workforce or further education.
Graduation is a goal we must demand for all students. The cost of young people dropping out of school is too high, for the individual and for our society. From the 4- and 5- year-olds in their first day of kindergarten, to our elementary, middle, and high school students, we know each is an individual with different learning needs. Educators are working to meet the diverse needs of our students through innovation that makes sense. We want zero dropouts so we can ensure every student graduates ready to be tomorrow’s leaders.
We’ve already begun transforming education to better meet student needs. Earlier this year, we adopted Common Core State Standards for English language arts and mathematics. Development of the standards was a state-led effort to provide fewer, clearer statements of what students should learn at each grade level. The standards are benchmarked against expectations for college and careers and will help teachers improve classroom instruction.
Working through the state’s 12 cooperative educational service agencies, we are bringing Response to Intervention (RtI) to classrooms throughout Wisconsin. The RtI screening tools help teachers determine what students already know and where they need more help. Through differentiated instruction, lessons that target what groups of students need to learn, teachers will help kids who struggle and advance those who need more challenges. Assessments and research-based interventions also are part of RtI’s instructional model.
Additionally, we are working with other education partners on assessment reforms and a Longitudinal Data System that will provide a more accurate picture of student achievement. With better data, we can provide early warnings so educators and parents can intervene with struggling students.
The Department of Public Instruction will continue examining flexibility in educator licensing. We want to honor life and work experiences that can make valuable contributions to teaching while ensuring that our students have quality educators in their schools and classrooms. Our quality educators know how to teach, develop lessons, and evaluate student work; manage classrooms with diverse needs; communicate with parents; and collaborate with their peers and the community.
One initiative that’s not so much about instructional practice, but is terribly important, is the “Fair Funding for Our Future” framework. In partnership with stakeholders and policymakers, we want to reform Wisconsin’s school finance system to make it fair, sustainable, transparent, and accountable for results. Our students should not have to endure cuts to their classes and threats to academic programs year after year. We need a school funding system that provides predictable investments in our children’s education, even in the most difficult of financial times.
Funding reform and our innovation efforts have one goal: improved achievement for all students. But state and local educators cannot do this alone. Our students need active involvement by parents and other community members to ensure their success. As we welcome the start of the 2010-11 school year, let’s renew our commitment to education and work to ensure every child is a graduate. Education is an investment that pays lifetime dividends.
