Transforming State Testing

From the DPI:
""We will be phasing out the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examinations (WKCE)," said State Superintendent Tony Evers as he announced that Wisconsin will transform its statewide testing program.

Additional information is available on the Department of Public Instruction homepage. The complete news release is posted on the DPI's newsroom website at http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2009_20.pdf. Please direct comments or questions about this news item to Patrick Gasper, (608) 266-3559, or patrick.gasper@dpi.wi.gov."

Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy National Grant Program

from the DPI:

"The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy's National Grant Program's goal is to develop and expand family literacy efforts, and to support the development of literacy programs that build families of readers. The program provides grants for projects that support the development of literacy skills for adult primary care givers and their children.

Begun in 1990, the Foundation's competitive National Grant Program supports private, nonprofit organizations and public agencies-including libraries, correctional institutions, universities, housing projects, and public schools-in order to create, implement, or expand programs that support the development of literacy skills. A total of approximately $650,000 is awarded each year; no grant exceeds $65,000.

Family literacy programs funded through the Foundation's National Grant Program must include all of the following components:

• Reading instruction for parents or primary care-givers
• Literacy or pre-literacy instruction for children
• Intergenerational activities in which the parents/primary caregivers and children read and learn together.

Programs also may include additional components such as parent support groups, parent involvement, home visits, community site visits, job training, and more.

The application deadline is September 14, 2009. The grant program details and the application guidelines and form are available on the Foundation's website: http://www.barbarabushfoundation.com"

DPI-ConnectEd

from the DPI:
"An electronic newsletter called DPI-ConnectEd is now available from State Superintendent Tony Evers. Through DPI-ConnectEd, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction will keep you informed about education in Wisconsin--apprising you of opportunities, success stories, and other news. The latest issue of DPI-ConnectEd is at http://dpi.wi.gov/dpi-connected/index.html. If you are interested in subscribing to this newsletter, complete and submit the form at http://dpi.wi.gov/dpi-connectEd/subscribe.html#subform."

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Grants 2009-2010

From the WIPK-12 discussion list, August 11, 2009:

"The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction awarded $1.3 million in Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to elementary schools throughout the state for the 2009-2010 school year.

Additional Information is available in the news release posted on the Department of Public Instruction newsroom website at http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/pdf/dpinr2009_12.pdf. Please direct comments or questions about this news item to Patrick Gasper, (608) 266-3559, or patrick.gasper@dpi.wi.gov."

What would YOU like to see in the Curriculum Library?

The UWM Curriculum Library welcomes and appreciates suggestions for new purchases throughout the year, as well as donations of newer materials appropriate to the collection. Prepare now prior to the rush of September and submit suggestions for new items to libcurriculum@uwm.edu. We are currently processing a large donation of children's books and professional literature from a retired faculty member, so keep your eyes open for great "new" materials in the next few weeks!

"Zip! Pow! Bam! Read? Graphic Novels in the Classroom"

One of the UWM Curriculum Library's own, Derek De Vinney, wrote an article on the recent trend of incorporating graphic novels in the classroom as a new way to approach literacy. The article, entitled "Zip! Pow! Bam! Read? Graphic Novels in the Classroom," was published in the Spring 2009 edition of the UWM School of Education magazine EdLine. Derek's article discusses the recent upswing in the popularity of graphic novels, and lists some of the Curriculum Library's graphic novel and manga offerings, including graphic adaptations of classics from Shakespeare to fairy tales, and even manga guides to topics such as statistics and databases!