WASDA Winter Seminar: Public Education Matters

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7:

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP (Separate registration required.)

OFF-DUTY EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT -- INVESTIGATION AND DECISION-MAKING BY THE ADMINISTRATOR
Off-duty employee misconduct presents unique challenges for a school district administrator: it is often "public knowledge," but it also involves arguably "private" conduct. This pre-conference session will explore the practical and legal aspects associated with identifying, investigating, and making employment decisions regarding misconduct outside of the workplace. The presentation will also address coordination of the employment aspects of the off-duty misconduct with other interested agencies such as law enforcement and DPI. A handout will serve as a resource for future incidents.
Presenter: Attorney Michael Julka, Lathrop & Clark

6:30 - 7:00 p.m. REGISTRATION - Madison Ballroom Foyer

7:00 - 8:00 p.m. PUBLIC EDUCATION MATTERS

Gerald Bracey is one of the most outspoken advocates for public education on the national scene. Some believe that public schools are being successfully attacked because administrators and other members of the education community have not taken a stand and defended public education. Gerald Bracey will definitely provide provocative insights and specific information that can be used to defend public education so that local superintendents can carry the message back to their districts.
PRESENTER: Gerald Bracey

8:00 - 9:30 p.m. RECEPTION - Wisconsin Ballroom

This complimentary reception will provide a time to meet and exchange ideas with the experts and personnel from other local school districts.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8:

7:15 - 8:00 a.m. REGISTRATION/CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST - Madison Ballroom Foyer

8:00 - 9:30 a.m. THE SEVEN DEADLY ABSURDITIES OF NCLB

Building on his presentation from the night before, Gerald Bracey will detail what schools can and can’t do to close the achievement gap. His presentation will help superintendents understand the political, social and educational context that affect academic achievement. Superintendents need to be aware of these educational matters so that they can advocate for the fact that public education matters.
PRESENTER: Gerald Bracey

9:30 a.m. BREAK

9:45 - 10:45 a.m. SECTIONAL SESSIONS

1. DIFFERENTIATION: IS IT REALLY HAPPENING?

It is clearly understood that to maximize student achievement teachers must differentiate their instruction. Most districts have training in this area and believe their teachers are differentiating instruction but is it really getting done? This presentation will focus on how to differentiate and how to ensure that it is happening.
Presenters: Kate Ahlgren, doctoral student in Educational Administration; Robin Carelli, Mentor Teacher, Waunakee; Sheila Weihert, Principal, Heritage Elementary School, Waunakee

2. FEDERALIZING CHAPTER 115: HOW IT WILL SAVE TEACHER TIME AND MONEY

Federalizing Wisconsin’s special education laws will save districts and teachers time and money. This presentation will take participants through a clear step by step outline of how federalization will be a major benefit to local school districts and how they can present this information to their boards and communities.
Presenters: Attorneys Gary Ruesch & Renae Waterman Aldana, Quarles & Brady

3. THE MISLABELED & ABANDONED: ARE GIFTED & TALENTED STUDENTS THE OTHER HALF OF THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP?

“Your gifted students are not on the honor roll and are not the valedictorians. They are the ones hanging out in the parking lot who have dropped out.” “I flunked physics because the teacher was totally boring and didn’t know the subject. I knew more about physics than he did.” “I begged my mom to let me drop out because school was too easy and boring.” A panel of gifted and talented students will provide superintendents with their insights and frustrations and give first hand advice on how to serve the truly gifted student.
Presenters: Susan Corwith and a panel of gifted/talented students.

4. PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PUBLIC MONEY: HOW TO GAIN YOUR COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT

This session will help you identify your community's stakeholders and also give valuable tips on how to get support from traditional and non-traditional partners as the struggle to fund Wisconsin's public schools continues to escalate.
Presenter: Anne Egan-Waukau, President-elect, Wisconsin School Public Relations Association

10:45 a.m. BREAK

11:00 - 12:00 p.m. SECTIONAL SESSIONS

1. DIFFERENTIATION: IS IT REALLY HAPPENING?

It is clearly understood that to maximize student achievement teachers must differentiate their instruction. Most districts have training in this area and believe their teachers are differentiating instruction but is it really getting done? This presentation will focus on how to differentiate and how to ensure that it is happening.
Presenters: Robin Carelli, Mentor Teacher, Waunakee; Kate Ahlgren, doctoral student, Educational Administration; and Sheila Weihert, Principal, Heritage Elementary School, Waunakee

2. FEDERALIZING CHAPTER 115: HOW IT WILL SAVE TEACHER TIME AND MONEY

3. THE MISLABELED & ABANDONED: ARE GIFTED & TALENTED STUDENTS THE OTHER HALF OF THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP?

4. PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PUBLIC MONEY: HOW TO GAIN YOUR COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. LUNCHEON - Wisconsin Ballroom

Special recognition presentation.

1:00 - 2:00 p.m. SECTIONAL SESSIONS

1. PI 34 & TEACHER PAY SCALES

One of the most common questions asked by local superintendents is what affect will PI 34 have on our negotiated pay scale? Since PI 34 does not require college credit for relicensure districts may wind up revamping their entire pay schedule. This presentation focuses on a district that has had 20 years of experience with “blended” professional development and credit salary schedules. Is this in the future for your district?
Presenters: Chuck Pursell, Supt.; Connie Beth, Dir. Of Human Resources; Mike Hensgen, Dir. Of Curriculum & Instruction; and Steve Summers, Dir. Of Business Services; Waunakee

2. BLENDED LEARNING: USING TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY AND FLEXIBILITY TO STUDENTS

Blended learning is the future of instruction using the latest technology. From the classroom the teacher delivers the lesson over the television and online. Using asynchronous, video streaming technology that interfaces with an instructional management system and multimedia, teachers instruct, communicate and assess student learning. The technology allows students the opportunity and flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere. The JEDI consortium will open a virtual school, JEDI High School, in January. Come see what the future looks like now!
Presenter: Leslie Steinhaus, Supt., Whitewater; Mary Jo Black, JEDI Director; Dean Sanders, Supt., and Robert Gilpatrick, Principal, Lake Mills

3. DIFFERENTIATION: MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUR DISTRICT’S GIFTED STUDENTS

Our districts' gifted and talented students have unique academic needs. More than ever, the realities of our local budgets have challenged us to meet those needs in an effective, yet cost-efficient manner. Join us for this moderated panel session, made up of various stakeholders who will respond to the crucial role differentiation plays in public schools today.
Presenters: Tom Zigan and a panel of administrators.

4. EARLY CHILDHOOD AND 4K: STRONG EDUCATIONAL & ECONOMIC INVESTMENT

This presentation will highlight the recent research that clearly demonstrates the educational and economic value of early childhood education. Participants in this sectional will gain critical insights and statistical information that can be used at the local level to “grow” and defend early childhood education.
Presenter: Dennis Winters, Vice President & Director of Research, NorthStar Economics

2:00 p.m. BREAK

2:15 - 3:15 p.m. SECTIONAL SESSIONS

1. PI 34 & TEACHER PAY SCALES

2. BLENDED LEARNING: USING TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY AND FLEXIBILITY TO STUDENTS

3. DIFFERENTIATION: MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUR DISTRICT’S GIFTED STUDENTS

3:15 p.m. SEMINAR ADJOURNS