Wepi Inc

What it reported doing in 2010

The Wisconsin academy staff development initiative (wasdi) provides state-of-the-art professional development for teachers throughout Wisconsin, primarily in the areas of mathematics and science. The project has developed teacher leaders and school based mentors who work to improve mathematics and science learning in their own classrooms, schools, districts and the wider profession. Wasdi has also developed a statewide series of summer academies for teachers presenting thirteen one-week sets of workshops in thirteen sites around wisconsinnearly four hundred lead teachers were prepared to deliver standards-based staff development workshops leading to systemic reform in mathematics, science and technology education. Since wasdi began in 1994, over fifty thousand teachers have attended a wasdi academy and it is estimated that these teachers have taught over 2 million students. The independent evaluation revealed that ninety-six percent of the teachers who attend an academy report they are more effective in the classroom due to the experience.business partnerships are a significant component of wasdi as over seven hundred businesses have provided tours for teachers, over three hundred corporations have made financial contributions and many have provided employees the opportunity to participate in discussions with teachers the academies are for public and private elementary, middle and high school mathematics, science and technology teachers from the state of Wisconsin. Courses are designed for teachers who are inexperienced in the instruction of science, math and technology as well as the seasoned professional looking for new ideas. They are located geographically around the state for convenient access so that all teachers have the opportunity to attend workshops. An increased understanding of concepts presented through "hands-on", problem-solving, cooperative learning, application and demonstration activities encouraging integration of mathematics, science and technology education. New, practical teaching strategies, ideas, curriculum, experiential learning and assessment are presented along with knowledge of new, simple inexpensive and accessible materials and technology for classroom application. Participants have many opportunities to share ideas with other teachers and to enhance their present teaching practices. Attention is also given to the state and national standards where applicable. Local school districts staff development funds, business and industry sponsorships or individuals may pay tuition and registration fees for participants. Similar sources of funding may be used to defray participants' lodging, travel and meal expenses. Daily lunches and breaks are offered at each site. Graduate credit is offered at each of the academy sites. Each site has one or more cooperating universities which will issue graduate credit. All teachers are required to participate in the workshops, discussions and industrial tours for the entire week. A designated professor of record is on site at each of the academies. Attendance is taken each day including tour day for credit purposes. A majority of the academy workshops are in session from monday-friday during their scheduled weeks. A keynote speaker traditionally starts off the week in most of the academies. Teachers report to their workshops immediately after the keynote address on monday morning; tuesday, thursday and friday are full workshop days. Wednesday is devoted to business and industry which includes tours in the morning and discussions in the afternoon. Each academy workshop consists of at least 30 hours of instruction.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: Limited
• Program expense ratio: Limited
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 59th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 60%; rating input score 60; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -473.5%; rating input score 6; 6th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0; rating input score 1; 1st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: Limited
• Officer compensation ratio: Limited

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: Limited
• Asset growth: Limited