News and information for staff members and the Madison community
Vol. I No. 4 - February 17, 2006
MMSD Superintendent Art Rainwater received the Wisconsin State Reading Association's President's Award - the most prestigious award given by WSRA — at an event in Milwaukee on February 2.
According to the WSRA, the President's Award is given only when an individual demonstrates "an extraordinary commitment or achievement on behalf of literacy, one with far-reaching implications."
In her presentation to Rainwater, WSRA President Brenda Shearer stated that, "History abounds with stories about people willing to sacrifice, regardless of the consequences, in order to stand up for what is right. We call them heroes. We have such an individual in the State of Wisconsin. His name is Art Rainwater."
Shearer explained that Rainwater's decision to decline approximately $2 million in federal funds rather than abandon sound practice in favor of a scripted and prescribed literacy program was a move that took both courage and integrity.
Shearer said, "The decision honored the professionalism of Madison's highly qualified and dedicated teachers who believed that the federally mandated program was fundamentally incongruous with what they knew to be principled, effective reading instruction."
In accepting the award, Rainwater said that educators should never accept any amount of money to engage in practices that they know are not instructionally sound or in the best interests of students.
He said, "We must never, ever sell out our children for money." The crowd gave Rainwater a standing ovation.
Rainwater also honored the work of Madison's Language Arts team and all the teachers and other staff members who have worked to earn MMSD a reputation for the quality of its literacy program and the achievement of its students.
WSRA is an organization of over 3,000 literacy teachers, administrators, professors and reading specialists in Wisconsin. The conference at which the award was presented was attended by more than 2,300 reading professionals.
Last Updated: Thu Apr 13 14:17:54 2006
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