School of Education PK-18 Council for Central Wisconsin
Improving student achievement through enhanced educator effectiveness and increased organizational capacity in Central Wisconsin
The PK-18 Council for Central Wisconsin works to enhance collaboration between PK-12 school districts and institutions of higher education for the purpose of improving student learning.
All members of the Council share the common goal of assuring that our collective efforts significantly impact education in our region of Wisconsin.
PK-18 Council Goals
- Align pre-service teacher and practicing teacher experiences with the Wisconsin Teacher Standards
- Develop post-graduate and professional development delivery models for our region that emphasize research-based, best practices and utilize the talent within this region
- Determine additional regional strategies to support Wisconsin educator quality initiatives
- Assess regional PK-18 education programming to determine logical places for future collaboration and avenues for joint partnership
PK-18 Council Work Teams
Work Team #1: Implementing Best Practice/ Professional Development
Priorities:
- To increase professional development opportunities for classroom teachers in order to identify and support struggling readers
- To increase professional development opportunities for grade 5-10 math teachers in order to improve student learning
Work Team #2: Developing Leadership Capacity
Priorities:
- To clarify standardized testing and assessment
- To create a supportive work environment for teachers
- To create political savvy among administrators, teacher leaders, pre-service teacher leaders
- To explore grant writing opportunities
Work Team #3: Building a Seamless System of Educator Quality
Priorities:
- To continue to foster PK-18 partnerships
- To continue to facilitate a clear understanding of Wisconsin Teacher Standards & Assessment tools
- To create political savvy among administrators, teacher leaders, pre-service teacher leaders
- To develop quality mentor relationships
History
Regional administrators, curriculum directors, university faculty and staff, and representatives from other organizations participated in the formation of the PK-18 Council for Central Wisconsin.
The model for the Council is based on the Education Trust (Washington, DC) and Wisconsin’s statewide PK-16 Council.
Our Objective
The PK-18 Council for Central Wisconsin enhances the collaboration between PK-12 school districts and institutions of higher education for the purpose of maximizing student potential.
This collaboration benefits area school districts and universities as they work together to address the challenges of improving student learning and the implementation of the Wisconsin Teacher Standards.
As schools face tougher economic times, the need to share ideas and strategies simply makes good sense.
Guiding Principles
- Address each conversation and initiative as a PK-18 partnership
- Ensure our regional efforts are supported by research-based best practices
- Collaborate with agencies, organizations and institutions of higher education to further our purpose
- Establish a form for initiatives and issues to be brought forward, discussed and resolved
- Commit to developing the capacity of the collaborating members of the Council and the council as a whole
- Facilitate the professional growth and development of regional leaders
Collaborating Members
- Abbotsford School District
- Arbor Vitae – Woodruff School District
- CESA #9
- D.C. Everest Area School District
- Marathon School District
- Marshfield School District
- Merrill Area Public Schools
- School District of Auburndale
- Stevens Point Area Public School District
- Stratford School District
- Tomahawk School District
- Tomorrow River School District
- Unified School District of Antigo
- UW-Marathon County
- UW-Marshfield/Wood County
- UW-Stevens Point
- Wausau School District
- Wisconsin Education Association Council
- Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy & Service
- Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools
The Council meets five times each year at various locations in Central Wisconsin.