A key component to strengthening our economy is ensuring we have a high-quality education system in Wisconsin that prepares our children to be productive members of society and contributors to our global economy. As chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, and the father of two children who soon will attend public schools, I understand the challenges that lie ahead for our state's education system. Last week the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) made important announcements related to programs designed to make our children competitive in an increasingly global economy.
DPI's first announcement relates to the bipartisan legislation I authored along with Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine, designed to allow Wisconsin's innovative virtual schools to remain a high-quality option for parents. Included in this bill was a provision that authorized the DPI to create an online web academy. DPI announced this week the launch of the Wisconsin Web Academy (WWA), which will make various online courses available to Wisconsin students.
The WWA is an optional resource of online classes for school districts, and offers both high school and middle school courses ranging from core subjects like math and science to advanced and standardized test preparation. The WWA is significant because, by utilizing technology, it provides small and rural school districts with the tools necessary to provide high-quality courses at a lower cost that otherwise wouldn't be available.
The second announcement by DPI relates to funding provided in the state budget for grants to finance innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiatives. The budget compromise included $61,500 to school districts annually for STEM grants, which are designed to increase participation and boost academic achievement in science- and math-related courses. Getting kids involved and excited about math, science and engineering early in their lives will pay dividends down the road, as many pursue careers in these fields with high-paying jobs. DPI announced this week that 14 school districts across the state received a STEM grant this year. In our area, Oregon School District received the maximum $5,000 grant toward its OHS Innovative Math STEM Project.
Related to STEM is a program called Project Lead the Way, which is a national network of middle and high schools that encourage students to prepare for engineering and technology careers. Specifically in Wisconsin, Project Lead the Way's objectives are to act as a driver for economic development by increasing the number of students preparing for technical and engineering jobs. As a member of Project Lead the Way's executive council, I believe it provides a useful resource to our next generation of students. In our area, both Brodhead High School and Middle School are participants and have received funding from this important program.
DPI's announcements are welcome news as we focus on comprehensive strategies to get our economy moving again. Strengthening our education system is a key component to our future economic prosperity and maintaining our high quality of life in Wisconsin.
I want to hear from you, so please feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you in any way by calling (888) 534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 308 North, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
- Wisconsin State Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and portions of Rock, Dane and Lafayette counties.
DPI's first announcement relates to the bipartisan legislation I authored along with Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine, designed to allow Wisconsin's innovative virtual schools to remain a high-quality option for parents. Included in this bill was a provision that authorized the DPI to create an online web academy. DPI announced this week the launch of the Wisconsin Web Academy (WWA), which will make various online courses available to Wisconsin students.
The WWA is an optional resource of online classes for school districts, and offers both high school and middle school courses ranging from core subjects like math and science to advanced and standardized test preparation. The WWA is significant because, by utilizing technology, it provides small and rural school districts with the tools necessary to provide high-quality courses at a lower cost that otherwise wouldn't be available.
The second announcement by DPI relates to funding provided in the state budget for grants to finance innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiatives. The budget compromise included $61,500 to school districts annually for STEM grants, which are designed to increase participation and boost academic achievement in science- and math-related courses. Getting kids involved and excited about math, science and engineering early in their lives will pay dividends down the road, as many pursue careers in these fields with high-paying jobs. DPI announced this week that 14 school districts across the state received a STEM grant this year. In our area, Oregon School District received the maximum $5,000 grant toward its OHS Innovative Math STEM Project.
Related to STEM is a program called Project Lead the Way, which is a national network of middle and high schools that encourage students to prepare for engineering and technology careers. Specifically in Wisconsin, Project Lead the Way's objectives are to act as a driver for economic development by increasing the number of students preparing for technical and engineering jobs. As a member of Project Lead the Way's executive council, I believe it provides a useful resource to our next generation of students. In our area, both Brodhead High School and Middle School are participants and have received funding from this important program.
DPI's announcements are welcome news as we focus on comprehensive strategies to get our economy moving again. Strengthening our education system is a key component to our future economic prosperity and maintaining our high quality of life in Wisconsin.
I want to hear from you, so please feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you in any way by calling (888) 534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 308 North, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
- Wisconsin State Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and portions of Rock, Dane and Lafayette counties.
