UWM-WI Pupil Services Professional Standards

These standards are based on Wisconsin's seven Pupil Services Standards. UWM faculty and staff have added brief statements of interpretations of these standards for UWM candidates to show greater alignment with our Urban Education/Equity Core Guiding Principle.

Standard #1. Understanding the Teacher Standards

Wisconsin State Pupil Service Professional Standard #1: The pupil services professional understands the Ten Teacher Standards.

For UWM candidates this means understanding the 10 UWM-WI Teacher Standards within a multicultural and urban education context.

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Standard #2. Knowledge of Learning and Comprehensive and Coordinated Policies and Practices that Support Pupil Learning, Health, Safety and Development

Wisconsin State Pupil Service Professional Standard #2: The pupil services professional understands the complexities of learning and knowledge of comprehensive, coordinated practice strategies that support pupil learning, health, safety and development.

For UWM candidates this means applying human development theory, proven learning and motivational theories and concern for diversity to the learning process. They demonstrate the ability to make recommendations regarding the design, implementation, and evaluation of practices that fully accommodate learners' diverse needs. They are able to work collaboratively with individuals and groups to facilitate policies and practices that create and maintain safe, supportive and effective learning environments for children and others.

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Standard #3. Using Research and Knowledge to Improve Practice

Wisconsin State Pupil Service Professional Standard #3: The pupil services professional has the ability to use research, research methods and knowledge about issues and trends to improve practice in schools and classrooms.

For UWM candidates this means a commitment to researching and using research to better understand complex learning and social problems and advocate for needed changes. They are able to combine the research, knowledge and practice of their discipline with children, youth, families, learners of all ages, from diverse backgrounds. They see the importance of data-based decision making when understanding problems, identifying assets and taking action. They are well-versed in a variety of assessment methods validated for the problem area under consideration, and guard against the historical and socio-cultural biases associated with some assessment tools and approaches.

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Standard #4. Professional Ethics and Social Behaviors

Wisconsin State Pupil Service Professional Standard #4: The pupil services professional understands and represents professional ethics and social behaviors appropriate for school and community.

For UWM candidates this means demonstrating ethics at the highest levels. They understand that many students face social, emotional, learning, cultural, and economic barriers, which must be addressed in a highly professional and ethical manner in order for these students to be successful in school.

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Standard #5. Working Collaboratively to Develop Responsive Support Services within Educational Settings

Wisconsin State Pupil Service Professional Standard #5: The pupil services professional understands the organization, development, management and content of collaborative and mutual supportive pupil services programs within educational settings.

For UWM candidates this means being a major contributor to the development of comprehensive pupil services programs that promote and enhance student learning. Candidates are an integral part of school efforts designed to insure a safe and productive learning environment for all members of the school community.

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Standard #6. Addressing Social, Emotional, Behavioral and Physical Concerns

Wisconsin State Pupil Service Professional Standard #6: The pupil services professional is able to address the wide range of social, emotional, behavioral and physical issues and circumstances which may limit pupils' abilities to achieve positive learning outcomes through development, implementation and evaluation of system-wide interventions and strategies.

For UWM candidates this means focusing on prevention and solutions. It also means understanding the oppression and poverty as critical factors in students' lives and supporting the goal of achieving social and economic justice. Their practice is grounded in a systems framework, where multiple points of potential intervention are considered. UWM candidates are equipped with effective strategies for addressing the social, emotional, behavioral and physical concerns that students present in urban settings.

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Standard #7. Working Successfully with Pupils, Parents, Professional Educators, Employers, and Community Support Systems

Wisconsin State Pupil Service Professional Standard #7: The pupil services professional interacts successfully with pupils, parents, professional educators, employers, and community support systems such as juvenile justice, public health, human services and adult education.

For UWM candidates this means knowing the communities in which they work and respecting diversity as a core principle in providing support services to students and families. They approach their work in a collaborative manner drawing upon the assets of the student and community. They have knowledge of diverse family systems and have the dispositions and skills needed to develop positive working relationships. As specialists in human behavior and relationships, they provide assistance to students, parents, professional educators, employers, and community support systems through well-developed and collaborative interventions. Above all, pupil service professionals are student advocates who work cooperatively with other individuals and organizations to promote the development of children, youth, and families in their communities.

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