UPDATED Monday, July 6, 2009 --- 3:40 p.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Tony Evers took the oath of office as state school superintendent Monday before an audience of students, teachers and other school personnel at Hi-Mount Community School in Milwaukee.

State Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley administered the oath to Evers, who was elected in April to a four-year term as head of the state Department of Public Instruction.

Evers announced plans for a Wisconsin Graduation Summit in December designed to improve the high school graduation rate across the state. He said about 65,000 students graduate each year but almost 7,000 drop out.

He said, "Dropping out of school plays out over a lifetime for the student and our society with decreased lifetime earnings and lower quality of life for all."

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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Posted Thursday, June 18, 2009 --- 8:00 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Incoming state Superintendent Tony Evers plans to hold his inauguration ceremony in a Milwaukee elementary school July 6.

Evers says taking the oath and starting his term in a Milwaukee school will help emphasize the challenges facing public education both in the state's largest city and across the state.

Evers was elected to a four-year term in the nonpartisan post in April. He has served as deputy state superintendent for eight years.

Evers also announced that Michael Thompson will serve as his deputy. Thompson has 10 years teaching experience and has previously worked at the state Department of Public Instruction in a number of positions.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.