The Pk-18 Council for Central Wisconsin, headquartered at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point�s School of Education (SOE), has been awarded a $25,000 University of Wisconsin System PK-16 grant that will be used to plan several initiatives.

The principal grant investigators are Leslie McClain-Ruelle, head of the SOE, and Don Viegut, director of curriculum for Merrill Public Schools. According to McClain-Ruelle, the grant will give the council much needed financial support in implementing "best practice" initiatives, developing leadership capacity, and building a seamless system of educator quality throughout Central and Northern Wisconsin.

"The council is committed to making a difference for education in Central Wisconsin," said McClain-Ruelle. "Our guiding purpose is to improve student achievement through enhanced teacher effectiveness and improved organization in schools in our region of the state."

A key component of the grant is to conduct spring and summer offerings for area teachers on best practices in mathematics and reading education. A workshop/colloquium on best practices in reading related to struggling adolescent readers is in the planning stages for late spring.

Developing leadership capacity is another cornerstone of this project. UWSP will host a 2004 colloquium for student leaders, teachers and administrators to further their understanding of the state and national political context and political influence upon K-12 issues. "Educators need to be aware of political influence upon their profession and, more important, to engage elected officials and bring positive changes to our schools," said McClain-Ruelle.

To help construct a seamless system of educator quality, the council plans to host a colloquium focusing on the 10 Wisconsin Teaching Standards, as well as successful student teaching performance based upon the standards.

The council was formed last year and is made up of curriculum experts from public school systems and agencies throughout the region, a business representative and faculty at UWSP and NCTC. SOE/College of Professional Studies faculty and staff taking part on the council and joining McClain-Ruelle on this project include Penny Boileau, Patricia Caro, Paula DeHart, William Dietsche, Barb Grover, Elaine Hutchinson, JoAnne Katzmarek, Henry St. Maurice, Jan Seiler, Pat Shaw, and Mai Vang. Area school districts joining Merrill on the council include Arbor-Vitae Woodruff, Amherst, Wisconsin Rapids, D.C. Everest, Rhinelander, Tomahawk, Auburndale, Marshfield, Marathon and Wausau. The Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC)�s Central Wisconsin Uniserv Council in Mosinee, CESA (Cooperating Educational Service Agencies) #9 in Tomahawk, North Central Technical College in Wausau and the Noel Group of Stevens Point are also council members.

For more information on the council�s activities in the coming year, contact UWSP�s School of Education at 715-346-4430.

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