The 2017-18 school year marks the first year of full implementation for Academic and Career Planning (ACP). As we reflect back on all the efforts to prepare for implementation we are reminded how career and technical education, career pathways, programs of study, work based learning, etc., have all been identified as foundational programs to ensure comprehensive ACP services are provided. This is an exciting time as the importance of career development is elevated and the general public is becoming more aware of the need to expose students to the full range of career options and opportunities to explore their interests. To assist with your implementation efforts please see the ACP website.
Business Friends of Education
Over the years, business- education partnerships have been cited as an important strategy to enhance, augment and accelerate student learning. The State Superintendent's Business Friends of Education (BFoE) program has been redesigned to promote these partnerships and showcase how business or organization support plays a critical role in ensuring all Wisconsin public school students graduate college and career ready.
In order to become a part of the Business Friends of Education network, a business or organization needs to submit an application that verifies the support that satisfies membership criteria and provides assurances that the business or organization will serve as a positive representative of the network. Applications are now being accepted and we encourage you to share this information with your local business partners. Get started by visiting the Business Friends of Educationwebsite.
Perkins Reauthorization
As you may know, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Perkins reauthorization bill in June. A summary and analysis of the legislation is provided by
ACTE and Advance CTE.
There are efforts by national CTE organizations to urge the Senate to take up reauthorization swiftly, but they have yet to do so.
Senators James Inhofe (R-OK) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) are planning to send a bipartisan "Dear Colleague" letter to the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee leadership encouraging them to take up Perkins reauthorization. If you are interested in seeing Perkins reauthorization be taken up by the Senate, you are encouraged to contact your Senators and relay your support for this important legislation.
With the recent signing of the biennial budget on September 21, 2017 we are pleased to announce funding for participation in robotics competitions. Under this appropriation, grant awards will be available of up to $5,000 to public schools, 2R and 2X charter schools, private schools and home-based educational programs to facilitate participation in robotics competitions. Eligible teams include students in grades 9 through 12 and have at least one mentor. Allowable expense will include fees, kits, supplies required to participate in robotics competitions, travel expenses, and a stipend for the mentor of an eligible team.
The grant period will be for the 2017 - 2018 school year, with all funds being spent by June 30, 2018. All applications must demonstrate an equal amount of matching funds.
