March 18th Edition

AWSA Update

2026-27 AWSA Professional Learning Catalog

The AWSA Professional Learning Catalog is now available online with all of the conferences, academies, and coaching resources available in 2026-27. Consider participating in one of AWSA's in-depth academies. We increasingly see leaders' investment in academy work translating into improved student outcomes.

From Systems to Students: Compassionate, Committed, and Comprehensive Approaches to Middle School Success

At Karcher Middle School, we believe that excellence is not accidental—it is built through intentional systems grounded in compassion and sustained by collective commitment. Our journey has been shaped by a simple but powerful question: How do we design systems that truly serve students as a whole? This session shares how that question has guided our work and strengthened outcomes for both students and staff. Read more here.

Registration is Open for the School Administrative Assistants Conference

Please encourage your administrative assistant to register for the School Administrative Assistants’ Conference July 22-23, 2026 at the Madison Marriott West.

A Rural School's Focus on Culture Helps It Defy Achievement Odds

Sevastopol Elementary School, with its 35% economically disadvantaged (ED) enrollment, has defied the odds with high achievement scores and closing gaps. In 2025, it earned rankings in the top 10% or higher from outlets such as U.S. News & World Report and SchoolDigger.com. But, in 2018 when staff reviewed the state assessment data a concerning gap was identified: the ED student population was trailing their general education (GE) peers by approximately 20 points in both the core areas of English/Language Arts (ELA) and math. Read more here.

End of Regular Session Brings Closure to Key Education Proposals

On Tuesday, March 17, the Wisconsin State Senate convened for its final day of the regular floor period, effectively bringing the 2025–26 legislative session to a close. Several bills that the School Administrators Alliance (SAA) had been actively tracking, many of which would have had significant implications for schools and students, were not included on the Senate’s final calendar. As a result, these proposals are now considered dead for the remainder of this legislative session. Similar legislation would need to be reintroduced when the next Legislature convenes in January 2027. Read more here.

New Law Requires Notice to Parents When Administrators Receive Certain Reports of Sexual Misconduct

2025 Wisconsin Act 57 (Act 57), codified at Wis. Stat. s. 118.07(6), is now in effect. Under this new law, every school must notify the parent or guardian of a pupil in certain instances when the school receives a report of sexual misconduct by a school staff member against a pupil. Principals of all grade levels need to be aware of this requirement and consider how it will be incorporated into school responses to alleged sexual misconduct by staff members against pupils. Read more here.

AWSA 2026 Election

The AWSA Board of Directors election will be held electronically from April 15-April 30, 2026. This year, Directors will be elected from Regions 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12. Members of each of these regions will be emailed a notification on April 15th with a link to an online ballot listing the candidate(s) for that region. As part of its succession planning, the Board has recruited candidates in each region. See candidates here.

Are You Retiring?

If you are retiring this year, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected]. We’d like to include you in our recognition announcement and also share with you information about retired membership with AWSA.

March 4th Edition

AWSA Update

Register for the Creating a Culture of Excellence for All Conference

The conference will highlight the leadership practices essential to building continuous improvement at the school and district levels and will feature sessions by Wisconsin school and district exemplars (June 25-26, 2026, in Madison). View the program here.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Students with Disabilities

Inclusive educational frameworks, such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL), can serve as a bridge between educational philosophies that embrace diversity as a strength and the design of systems in which each and every student can access, and engage with, meaningful high-quality learning experiences. Read more here.

Virtual Health Care at School! A New Approach to Meeting All Students Needs

A new model of school-based virtual health is emerging as a revolutionary solution. In the School District of Maple, the Tiger Clinic is a virtual access program for 9th through 12th grade students at Northwestern High School. This program offers a powerful glimpse into your child’s healthcare future. Read more here.

Beyond the “Seat at the Table”: Why Principal Presence in Special Education is Non-Negotiable

As school leaders, we often talk about “all students,” but the true test of that philosophy lies in how we lead our special education systems. In my seventh year as principal at Silver Spring Intermediate, I’ve come to realize that the most impactful work we do to close the achievement gap happens when we bridge the divide between the main office and the specialized learning environment. When we integrate our most vulnerable learners into the core of our leadership vision, we move beyond “management” and into true advocacy. Read more here.

A Learning Environment That Reflects a Culture of Success

A healthy educational environment should embody an inherent culture of success. At Reagan, recognized among the state’s most successful high schools for both student achievement and growth over time, we maximize the odds of success by providing a learning environment that accelerates results rather than hinders them. We believe our facility must reflect our learning culture, serving as a tangible expression of the high expectations and achievements we hold for every student. Inspiring examples of achievement appear throughout our campus, and by embedding images of triumph into daily life, we instill a deep-seated belief that goals are attainable and success is possible for all students. Read more here.

SAT Practice Now Available on Gemini

On January 23, Google announced the availability of full-length SAT practice tests in Gemini. The tests are free and available at no cost. One simply asks Gemini, "I want to take a practice SAT test". Read more here.