News Briefs - February 13

Read Across America plans readied

WEAC President Terry Craney will kick off Read Across America in Wisconsin by reading to children at a Milwaukee school. Read Across America, a national celebration of reading, calls for all children to be in the company of a book on March 2, Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Craney will read to children at the Clarke Street Elementary School in Milwaukee on February 27. Local associations throughout Wisconsin have planned reading events for March 2.

Studies find job shortage for welfare recipients

The Institute for Wisconsin’s Future issued two final reports with implications for labor and the W-2 welfare reform program. The IWF found a large discrepancy between the number of people looking for jobs and the number of available job openings - especially at the entry level and for low skill jobs. The IWF found a shortage of jobs for welfare recipients. The report recommended W-2 include a comprehensive training component to ensure participants secure jobs that pay living wages.

NBPTS seeks participants for pilot exercise

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) seeks teachers in certain grade levels and subject areas to pilot new National Board assessment exercises. This opportunity may be of interest to WEAC members, as pilot-testing assessment exercises gives teachers a leg up on the assessment process, should they eventually seek National Board Certification. WEAC’s Legislative Agenda calls for incentives for Wisconsin teacher participation in the NBPTS program.

Posted February 13, 1998