WEAC Direct

The faces of the WEAC Convention

The 2009 WEAC Convention was filled with smiling faces, at the General Session, dozens of workshops and in leisure activities. The two-day Convention wrapped up Friday at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee. Top left: Keynote speaker Pedro Noguera signs copies of his book "Unfinished Business" after his speech opening the Convention. "Education is our best hope, our best solution for a better future," Noguera said. Lower left: Books were a popular draw among members browsing the vast Exhibit Hall.
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Senate committee backs Race to the Top bill

WEAC President Mary Bell testified Wednesday in favor of a bill crafted to make Wisconsin eligible for federal Race to the Top grant dollars. Senate Bill 372 makes a technical change to state law regarding the use of student test data to evaluate teachers. On Thursday, the Senate Education Committee voted, 6-1, in favor of the bill.
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West Bend vote good for schools

After a public hearing in which educators and supporters of quality education fought strongly for fair funding of schools, the West Bend School Board Monday night voted in favor of a maximum 10.9% increase in the district tax levy. The vote ended a monthlong debate in which some argued strenuously for $2 million in cuts to the district's programs to keep taxes down.

Be sure to read the comment added by library media specialist Jason Penterman, who thanks the school board "for being what a board should be: Listeners, Communicators, Bridge-Builders, Preservers, Helpers, and Leaders." And take advantage now of the opportunity to add your voice to this story. Read more

Labor history education bill approved

A bill requiring that the history of organized labor and the collective bargaining process be incorporated into the state's model academic standards for social studies received final legislative approval Tuesday and is on its way to the governor. Assembly Bill 172 - which originally required schools to teach this topic as part of the basic curriculum - passed the Assembly after it was amended to instead insert the requirement into state standards. The Senate passed the measure, 20-12, as amended. Read more

PTA Convention is April 22-24

Mark your calendar now for the 2010 Wisconsin PTA Convention, April 22-24, in La Crosse. Find out more about this and other events, professional development opportunities, and classroom resources on the weac.org Educators' Bulletin Board.

Win a 2GB jump drive!

WEAC members: Become a fan of the WEAC Facebook page or a follower of WEAC on Twitter, and you will become eligible to win a 2GB jump drive to transfer files to and from your computer. A random drawing will be held on December 1 to give away a total of 20 jump drives.
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