SB 121

This bill requires the Center on Education and Work at the University of

Wisconsin-Madison (center) to establish a program for students enrolled in grades

7 to 12 to engage in webcam conversations about careers with individuals in this

state who have careers in math, science, agricultural education, technology

education, or information technology. The bill requires the center to develop criteria

for choosing the classrooms that may participate in the program during a pilot period

ending on May 15, 2010. The program must do the following: 1) select individuals

for conversations who have careers that are in the greatest demand in this state; 2)

use student discussion guides to facilitate the conversations; and 3) allow for

recording the conversations for future viewing. The program must also include

requirements for the following: 1) promoting participation in the conversations

among students, parents, and the business community; 2) measuring student

participation in the conversations; 3) notifying parents and the business community

after conversations take place; and 4) tracking the study plans of students who

participate in the conversations.

The bill also requires the center to evaluate the effectiveness of the program

during the pilot period in promoting careers in math, science, agricultural education,

technology education, and information technology. If the center determines that the

program has been effective in promoting such careers, the bill allows the center to

continue the program after the pilot period, and to allow participation by additional

classrooms. In addition, the center must submit a report on the program to the

legislature, the Department of Public Instruction, the Department of Workforce

Development, and the Department of Commerce.