PIE | School District Staff

PIE high schools enter into a contractual agreement with the university to offer university courses and hire teachers who have master’s degrees and at least 18 graduate credits in the content area related to each college-level PIE class. These teachers must be approved by the academic department at the university and work closely with a university liaison professor.

UW-Whitewater provides support for teachers with a master’s degree not specifically related to the content area by providing online graduate courses at no charge for participating instructors. Teachers will need at least 18 graduate credits in the subject area. For example, teachers with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction could be accepted as PIE instructors for computer science provided that they enroll and complete graduate courses in computer science.

School Districts interested in offering PIE courses at their school should review the current course offerings, at your high school, and determine which PIE classes you would be interested in offering. Refer to UW-W online course catalog to identify potential courses based on the qualifications of your high school instructor.  Contact PIE Coordinator at pie@uww.edu with any questions.

Please allow 1-2 months for review of completed PIE applications. 

In order to teach a PIE course, a teacher needs to meet one of the following requirements of our regional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission:

• A master’s degree in the content area (e.g. biology, computer science, accounting)
• A master’s degree in another area (e.g. curriculum and instruction, education leadership) with 18 graduate credits in the content area
• A master’s degree in another area together with a professional development plan created in consultation with UW-W. The plan must lead to 18 graduate credits earned in the content area by September 2025. (In most cases UW-W will cover the cost of these credits for approved teachers who take the courses through UW-W.)

Teachers interested in becoming a PIE teacher at their school should complete PIE Instructor application and return the completed application along with a copy of your current resume and copies of your college transcripts (bachelor’s, master’s, & beyond) via e-mail to PIE Coordinator at pie@uww.edu.

Please allow 1-2 months for review of completed PIE applications. 

6 months prior to course | Assist teacher(s) in applying for PIE instructor status; Work with PIE Coordinator and High School teachers on course selection; Obtain school board approval (if necessary); Facilitate new course approval; Complete UW-Whitewater’s school application/intent to provide a PIE course

3 months prior to course | Market PIE course(s) to student body and parents; Assist students in completing their online admission form; Submit anticipated student list(s) for PIE courses via e-mail to PIE Coordinator at pie@uww.edu; Read, sign, and return Memorandum of Understanding

1-2 months prior to course | Ensure that parents and students are well informed on transcripts, and email.

During the course semester | Facilitate surveys of PIE course offerings among high school students, teachers, administrators and parents

End of semester | Communicate with PIE coordinator at UW-Whitewater to elaborate issues or concerns

Once/year | Attend PIE coordinator meeting as scheduled

6 months prior to course | Submit PIE teacher application form, current resume and undergraduate and graduate transcripts to PIE coordinator for submission to the UW-Whitewater academic department

3 months prior to course | Work with UW-Whitewater liaison to align PIE course work with UW-Whitewater standards. Develop syllabus, student learning objectives, assignments, rubrics, etc.; Work with UW-Whitewater liaison to select course materials, including suggested readings and approved textbooks.

1-2 months prior to course | Submit syllabus and assignments, tests, etc. for UW-Whitewater liaison approval; Work with UW-Whitewater liaison to develop Canvas course site if appropriate Develop timeline of course visits and review of student work with UW-Whitewater liaison; Assist students in completing their online admission form

During the course semester | Provide examples of student work as agreed upon with UW-Whitewater liaison (including D2L for student feedback and/or grades if appropriate); Coordinate class visits to PIE course with UW-Whitewater liaison; Visit UW-Whitewater campus to attend course; Assist students in accessing and using UW-Whitewater website

End of semester | Have students complete the Course Evaluation form (will be sent as a link); Submit grates in WINS; e-mail to PIE Coordinator at pie@uww.edu when grades are submitted; Complete textbook inventory and submit to PIE coordinator

Once/year | Attend PIE teacher workshop in June

By September 2022, all concurrent and dual credit PIE instructors will be required to have 18 graduate credits in the content area in which they are teaching. UW-Whitewater offers some online graduate courses for our PIE instructors to meet this requirement. These courses are provided at no cost to approved UW-Whitewater PIE instructors.  Review courses by clicking here for Graduate Course Offering.

UW-Whitewater’s PIE program meets the standards for dual enrollment programs established by the University of Wisconsin System. For more information please consult the Univerities of Wisconsin College Credit in High School page.

In accordance with Federal, State, and UW-System laws, regulations and policies, no otherwise qualified student with a disability shall be denied equal access to UW-Whitewater programs. This includes high school students in the PIE (Partners in Education) concurrent education programs. All accommodations for students with disabilities enrolled in a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater course(s) must have approved accommodations through the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD). Existing Individualized Education Plans (IEP) or 504 Plans are not approved at the university level.

Students are encouraged to apply for services as soon as possible, preferable upon enrollment to the course. Students should complete an application uww.edu/csd and submit any documentations to the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD). While an IEP or 504 Plan is helpful, it may not be sufficient nor may all currently approved high school accommodations or modifications be approved. CSD will set up a phone or Skype conference for intake. For students who qualified for services a Verified Individual Services and Accommodations (VISA) plan will be individually created and will be provided to the student, the concurrent course coordinator, CSD, and the high school. Accommodations will be implemented at the local high school.

Let us know how we can help! Contact PIE Coordinator at pie@uww.edu.