The state of Wisconsin will face many challenges to our educational system in the coming years. We are facing tough economic times which will call for creative solutions to meet the changing needs of our workforce, our students and our communities. We no longer have the luxury of conducting "business as usual" when we are faced with such monumental challenges. The good news is we have some of the best teachers in the nation and some of the strongest business leaders in the world who are more than capable of meeting the challenge of redesigning education for the global economy. Wisconsin needs someone with the necessary experience to bring business and education together for a sustainable solution.
In addition to tough economic times, other major educational issues affecting Wisconsin include: failing schools in Milwaukee, retaining quality educators, school funding, and fair bargaining laws. Unfortunately, we are failing too many children in the state of Wisconsin.
I will be running for the office of state superintendent because I can make a difference for the children in Wisconsin. My positive experience as a principal and superintendent in small rural communities as well as large urban districts has given me the tools necessary to bring about positive change. Our children need someone who can bring business leaders and educational leaders together. Someone who can help forge strong business/education partnerships focused on our common needs.
Over the past several years, the School District of Beloit partnered with community and business leaders to make great strides in addressing truancy problems, graduation rates, and career and technical education opportunities for students. As a result, more students are graduating, we have received recognition for closing the achievement gap, and the community is becoming more involved in the education of our students.
As a principal in Peshtigo, the president of our local teachers union along with several parents and community members successfully nominated me for the Wisconsin Principal of the Year. As a superintendent, my relationship with the teacher unions has been as a partner to address the needs of our students and community. The business partnerships we have developed in Beloit led to our first joint business/education summit. This summit brought hundreds of business and educational leaders together for a dialogue surrounding the workforce development gap. This is a very real gap that spans the difference between what K-12 educators teach students and what business leaders need to employ our students. This gap can only be closed by developing partnerships with open and honest dialogue.
I have had the opportunity to form those partnerships across the state of Wisconsin, and as a result have enjoyed seeing achievement levels rise, whether in rural areas or in the large urban district environment. I look forward to bringing this type of success to all of our school districts in Wisconsin, while making great strides in meeting the workforce development needs of our business community.
- Dr. Lowell E. Holtz is superintendent of the Beloit school district. On Thursday, he announced his candidacy for state superintendent of public instruction.
In addition to tough economic times, other major educational issues affecting Wisconsin include: failing schools in Milwaukee, retaining quality educators, school funding, and fair bargaining laws. Unfortunately, we are failing too many children in the state of Wisconsin.
I will be running for the office of state superintendent because I can make a difference for the children in Wisconsin. My positive experience as a principal and superintendent in small rural communities as well as large urban districts has given me the tools necessary to bring about positive change. Our children need someone who can bring business leaders and educational leaders together. Someone who can help forge strong business/education partnerships focused on our common needs.
Over the past several years, the School District of Beloit partnered with community and business leaders to make great strides in addressing truancy problems, graduation rates, and career and technical education opportunities for students. As a result, more students are graduating, we have received recognition for closing the achievement gap, and the community is becoming more involved in the education of our students.
As a principal in Peshtigo, the president of our local teachers union along with several parents and community members successfully nominated me for the Wisconsin Principal of the Year. As a superintendent, my relationship with the teacher unions has been as a partner to address the needs of our students and community. The business partnerships we have developed in Beloit led to our first joint business/education summit. This summit brought hundreds of business and educational leaders together for a dialogue surrounding the workforce development gap. This is a very real gap that spans the difference between what K-12 educators teach students and what business leaders need to employ our students. This gap can only be closed by developing partnerships with open and honest dialogue.
I have had the opportunity to form those partnerships across the state of Wisconsin, and as a result have enjoyed seeing achievement levels rise, whether in rural areas or in the large urban district environment. I look forward to bringing this type of success to all of our school districts in Wisconsin, while making great strides in meeting the workforce development needs of our business community.
- Dr. Lowell E. Holtz is superintendent of the Beloit school district. On Thursday, he announced his candidacy for state superintendent of public instruction.
