Sheila J. Briggs, PhD

Assistant State Superintendent
Telephone: (608) 266-3361
FAX: (608) 267-9275
 

Our Mission

"Every child must graduate ready for further education and the workforce. We must align our efforts so all our students are prepared to succeed in college or a career."
— State Superintendent Tony Evers

The Division for Academic Excellence is committed to ensuring that the state superintendent’s vision of every student becoming college and career ready becomes a reality for Wisconsin’s children. Our sole purpose is to increase success of Wisconsin school children—whether that is through licensing and training the teachers, supporting the curriculum, or making sure our schools are treating children fairly.

Our Charge

The Division for Academic Excellence (DAE) is comprised of the Common Core State Standards Implementation Team, the Content and Learning Team, the Career and Technical Education Team, the Teacher Education, Professional Development and Licensing Team and the Educator Effectiveness Team.

The division is responsible for programs and services having a direct impact on classrooms and, ultimately, on students. This division provides leadership, professional development and assistance for development and implementation of academic and occupational skills standards (including Common Core State Standards), curriculum, instructional strategies, and assessment. The division processes waiver requests; monitors school district compliance with statutory and administrative code requirements, including Office of Civil Rights compliance.

The division monitors and approves college and university educator preparation programs, and alternative preparation programs; and licenses public school teachers, pupil services professionals, administrators and library professionals, as well as private school teachers and administrators who request licensure. DAE provides for continued professional growth among all educators using the licensing process for Initial, Professional, and Master Educators.

The division also provides consultation and leadership of multicultural education, including the American Indian Studies Program; and international education including formalized agreements with Hessen-Germany, Chiba Prefecture-Japan, Thailand, Aix-Marseille and Bordeaux in France, and Heilongjiang-China; and state and federally funded bilingual/English as a second language programs.

DAE administers state and federal funds supporting technical education including the Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education Act; provides leadership and professional development for youth options and work-based learning opportunities such as cooperative education programs and career academies; and administers GED/HSED and alternative education programs.

The division promotes student engagement and recognizes excellence in education as it administers the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Award Program, the Federal Robert C. Byrd Scholarship Program, U.S. Senate Youth Program, Urban Teacher World and Future Teachers of America, and career and technical student organizations.