New scores should be 'rallying cry'
New test scores showing that Wisconsin has the nation's largest achievement gap between white and black students should serve as a rallying cry to correct the problem, NEA President Reg Weaver said Thursday in Green Bay. http://www.weac.org/News/2007-08/oct07/weaver.htm
Wisconsin's budget deadlock continues
Wisconsin's budget deadlock dragged on this week, as lawmakers continued their attempts to resolve the differences between the Assembly and Senate versions of the state budget. http://www.weac.org/Capitol/2007-08/oct07/budget.htm
Program helps turn young lives around
Rachel Bergh carries a Wonder Woman lunchbox to school. "It's a metaphor," she said, "I don't think I'm Wonder Woman, but most days I would like to be." Bergh is the sole teacher in a new collaborative program, the Dane County Focus program. Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), St. Charles Youth and Family Services, and the Dane County Department of Human Services partner in the Focus program which began in February 2007. http://www.weac.org/GreatSchools/2007-08/oct07/focus.htm
Manitowoc ESP finish landmark bargain
Manitowoc Educational Paraprofessionals who complete WEAC's Professional Development Academy's ESP Certificate program will receive a raise in their hourly pay under a landmark contract negotiated for 2007-09. http://www.weac.org/BARGAIN/2007-08/oct07/manitowoc.htm
What to look out for with a TSA
Learning the ins and outs of tax sheltered annuities is difficult, and many people don't know just how expensive they can be. Good advice from WEAC Member Benefits Specialist Bob Moeller is forthcoming in his October Dollars & Sense column. In this piece, Moeller gives you questions to ask of any TSA investment, even one you have been in for years. http://www.weac.org/News/2007-08/oct07/dollars.htm
State schools welcome Japanese teachers
An estimated 16,000 Wisconsin students will learn about the language, geography, history, culture, and daily life in contemporary Japan this fall from Japanese teachers visiting their schools as part of the Japan-Wisconsin Education Connection. WEAC Professional Development Academy is a co-sponsor of the visits. http://www.weac.org/News/2007-08/oct07/japan.htm
Alverno College plans K-12 workshop
Averno College is presenting an AGENTS workshop to all K-12 teachers on November 16. There is no charge for the workshop or the materials, but there is a $30 charge to cover the cost of lunch and breaks. This program, and others, are featured on OnWEAC's Educators' Bulletin Board. http://www.weac.org/Resource/bulletin.htm
Report: vouchers don't spur competition
A new study of Milwaukee schools finds that competition generated by vouchers does not lead to higher student test scores. Milwaukee has the longest-running voucher plan in the nation. http://www.weac.org/News/2007-08/oct07/voucherreport.htm
Choice program fails to provide scores
State Senator Russ Decker (D-Weston) is criticizing the School Choice Demonstration Project for failing to collect and report test score data for Milwaukee's private school voucher program. The information is required as part of the 2005 legislation lifting the enrollment cap on the Milwaukee voucher program. http://www.weac.org/News/2007-08/oct07/voucherscores.htm
Bring your member card to Convention
Bring your WEAC membership card to Convention, October 25-26 in Milwaukee, to take advantage of special offers and events, including free year-long admission to the Milwaukee Public Museum. The museum, located within walking distance of the Convention, will host an open house for WEAC members on Friday, October 26. WEAC members will receive free admission.
Your WEAC membership card will also allow you to receive verification of your attendance at Convention, should you be required to submit it to your school district. http://www.weac.org/AboutWEA/2007-08/convention07/main.cfm
A 2004 participant in the WEA Professional Development Academy (PDA) substitute teacher training program went on to receive her teaching certificate and is now being mentored by her former PDA instructor. http://www.weac.org/Grea tSchools/2007-08/oct07/mentor.htm
Lance Schmitz, a Barneveld 3rd-grade teacher and coach, is the winner of a Green Bay Packer executive sweatshirt. Schmitz was one of three members who correctly guessed the total final score of last Sunday's Green Bay Packers-Minnesota Vikings game. To play OnWEAC's Packer score contest this week, guess the total final score of this Sunday's Green Bay Packers-Chicago Bears game. You only have until game time to enter, so consider this your two-minute warning. http://www.weacm.org
gets gift of life A retired teacher has received the gift of life from his wife, who has donated one of her kidneys to him. Find the link to this and other education-related articles on the OnWEAC daily news roundup. http://www.weac.org/Ne wstoday.cfm
Participate in the Trust's secure and confidential online health assessment and earn $25. http://www.weac.org/w eatrustnews
You can pre-register for the 2007 WEAC Convention (October 25-26) online, which will get you into the Convention quicker than members who register on site. Pre-registration also ensures you will be included in the drawings for great prizes that occur during the event. http://www.weac.org/Ab outWEA/2007-08/convention07/main.cfm
Cartoon Corner
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