WEAC seeks balanced virtual school law
Virtual public school legislation must ensure that quality instruction is provided to students, that virtual schools are accountable to taxpayers, that they provide equal access to online learning and that local school districts retain control, a WEAC legal counsel testified this week at hearings on bills introduced in the State Senate and Assembly. Teacher Annette Walaszek (photo) also testified, saying that the Senate bill contains several key ideas that will ensure the quality and availability of online courses and require that teachers and administrators of online course programs be accountable for student learning and success. Read more
Sun Prairie teachers rally for fair contract
About 200 frustrated Sun Prairie teachers and their supporters braved frigid temperatures Monday to let the Sun Prairie Area School Board know that it's time to treat staff with the respect they deserve and settle a fair and equitable contract. Read more
WEAC backs minimum wage hike
The State Senate voted, 19-13, Tuesday to approve Senate Bill 130, raising the minimum wage from $6.50 per hour to $7.25 per hour and annually indexing the amount for inflation.
In written testimony, WEAC supported the bill, noting that a higher minimum wage will help working families make ends meet. WEAC represents 17,000 education support professionals (ESP) - the secretaries, teacher aides, bus drivers, custodians, cooks employed in public K-12 schools - and many of them are struggling to just get by. Read more
Parents tell us what they believe
Read what parents have to say regarding what they believe about public education in Wisconsin. Visit WEAC's "I believe" Web site. The "I believe" initiative invites citizens to join in the conversation about public education in Wisconsin, because it will take all of us - working together - to maintain our proud tradition of excellence.
Six are finalists for presidential awards
Six state educators will vie for a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching as Wisconsin's finalists in the national recognition program. The Wisconsin mathematics finalists are Wanda Bussey, Rufus King High School, Milwaukee; Wendy Meyer of Milton, Edgerton High School; and Lorna Vazquez of Neillsville, Granton High School. Science finalists are Mary Fassbender, Forest Park Middle School, Franklin; Jeanine Gelhaus, Medford Middle School; and Marian Schraufnagel of Waterford, Mukwonago High School. Read more
Register for Winter Conference
Don't forget to register online for the 2008 WEAC Winter Conference, set February 22-24 at the Radisson Paper Valley, Appleton. It is an exciting opportunity to learn new skills as well as network with members from across the state. Register now
Members of the Berlin Education Association along with some students walked and handed out pencils in the Berlin Christmas parade. The BEA members were decked out as wrapped presents with the theme "Giving the gift of education." Share photos
The OnWEAC Educators' Bulletin Board has new information about three teacher awards programs: the 2008 Rockwell Cooperating Teacher Awards for outstanding teachers, the U.S. Department of Education's 2008 American Stars of Teaching program, and NEA's Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NFIE) Award for Teaching Excellence. Educators' Bulletin Board
contributions pay off Find out why making IRA contributions early in the year is a good savings strategy. WEA Trust
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