ADVOCATE
FOR
SCIENCE
One of our core beliefs is that science teachers should have a voice and influence in policy decisions impacting education. There are many policy issues facing science education in Wisconsin. WSST is committed to advocating on behalf of its members and supporting teachers of Wisconsin in their advocacy efforts.
WI Science Standards – Complete!
Thank you to all those who are now supporting implementation of the new Wisconsin Standards for Science, which were based on the NRC K-12 Framework and NGSS.
Here’s a link to them as a Word doc, and PDF.
Appendix A provides WI contexts and engineering ideas.
ADVOCATE FOR QUALITY IMPLEMENTATION
Advocate for a district science vision to support decision-making
Advocate for high quality instructional materials (many things out aren’t great)
Advocate for high quality PD time
Advocate for a true K-12 scope and sequence
Licensing
Latest Licensing News Can Be Found at - https://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/news
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PI-34 Proposed Changes
December 2017 the Department of Public Instruction sent notice of potential changes to PI 34. PI 34 is the Wisconsin Administrative Code for Teacher Education Program Approval and Licensing, restructured teacher education, educator licenses, and professional development for Wisconsin educators. One of the proposed changes is to simplify the licensure system by reduce the number of science certification to one “Broad Field” license.
The second proposed change removes specification for teachers with licenses in agriculture, early childhood, middle childhood, middle childhood to early adolescence (a.k.a. elementary/middle) to receive preparation in environmental education. On January 31st WSST posted commentary on the public hearing site their reaction to the proposed changes.
View WSST's position on proposed changes to PI 34
January 31, 2018
LICENSING CHANGE:
January 2017, a series of licensing recommendations were released by the Leadership Group on School Staffing convened by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers and Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators Executive Director Jon Bales It is not yet clear what the timeline or approval process is for these recommendations. Some may be enacted through changes to administrative rules, while others may require changes to state law. Details can be found in this document Full Summary of Preliminary Licensing Recommendations.
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WSST understands the need for more flexibility, especially in rural schools. However, effective teaching requires strong pedagogical and content knowledge.
View WSST's response to these recommendations (Feb 26, 2017).
Previous Advocacy Efforts
ESSA LEGISLATION:
The bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act was signed by President Obama in December 2015 to replace the No Child Left Behind legislation. Check out the NSTA Reports: What ESSA Means for STEM Education for more information.
RESOURCES:
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WSST Science Matters Essay Contest
Teachers of science work every day to help our state’s children understand the foundational content of science and the process of science. We believe that evidence-based and publicly available science is a cornerstone of society. Ethical use of scientific advances have a profoundly positive impact on people.
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Read the WSST Statement of Support for the March on Science (03/21/17).
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