Department of Public Instruction

Wisconsin Joins States Suing Trump For Withholding Education Funds

24 states challenge withdrawal of $6.8 billion just before school year to begin.

AG Kaul Sues Trump Administration for Freezing $6.8 Billion in Education Grants Just Weeks Before School Year Start

Wisconsin at risk of losing an estimated $72 million in funding

Waukesha School District Considers Closing Schools

District cites enrollment decline. Parents say likely plans target Hispanic families.

AG Kaul Sues U.S. Department of Education Over School Mental Health Cuts

Lawmakers Release Funds for Literacy But Delay Much of State Budget

Joint Finance Committee can't decide funding for UW system, Medicaid, child care.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Overrules Gov. Evers Partial Veto Of Reading Bill

Court rules it was not appropriations bill so Evers couldn't use partial veto.

Rep.Hong: $50 Million for Student Literacy Held Hostage by Legislative Republicans

JFC Co-Chairs Statement on Supreme Court Decision

Trump Budget Would Ax Funds for State’s After-School Learning Centers

They serve 20,000 students at 168 sites in high-poverty districts across Wisconsin.

Gov. Evers Releases Statement Regarding Wisconsin State Legislature v. DPI

Republican Bill Changes How Wisconsin Pays for Voucher Schools

Backers say 'decoupling' will save taxpayers money, report disputes this.

MPS Submits 2024 Financial Reports to State Department of Public Instruction

Reports Will Allow State to Calculate Aid to All School Districts

MPS Should Overhaul Curriculum, Teacher Training, Report Finds

2nd independent audit commissioned by Gov. Evers suggest sweeping changes.

Gov. Evers Releases Independent Instructional Audit of Milwaukee Public Schools

Reading Instruction Program for Milwaukee Teachers a Great Idea

It could transform the world for Milwaukee’s young learners.

Rep. Robyn Vining Introduces LGBTQIA+ Rights Mental Health Bill

Wisconsin Republicans Support ‘Junk Food’ Ban

Legislators target SNAP spending on candy, soda, inspired by RFK Jr.'s campaign.

Wisconsin’s 4th and 8th Graders Rank Above Average in Math

But state has room for improvement in basic math literacy.

Gov. Evers Appoints Ben Jones to the Dane County Circuit Court

MPS Is Again Behind on Financial Reports, Could Lose State Funding

School district missed first deadline to submit 2024 financial data to state DPI.

Gov. Evers, DWD Announce $1 Million in Teacher Training and Recruitment Grants

“Wisconsin Kids Deserve Better.”

-Rep. Robyn Vining on Trump Mental Health Cuts

Wisconsin Schools Losing $8 Million in Federal Mental Health Grants

Trump administration killing $1 billion program, claiming civil rights violations.

“We’re Going to Sue to Stop Them” Gov. Evers Slams Trump Administration for Cuts to AmeriCorps, Serve Wisconsin

Governor takes Trump and Musk to task over cuts to Wisconsin literacy and math tutors, substance use recovery services, support for homeless youth, and conservation projects, among other critical programs, affecting services in well over half of Wisconsin’s 72 counties

As Wisconsin Teachers Grapple With AI, Trump Calls for Greater Use

His executive order pushes artificial intelligence. State educators have mixed views.

Number of Wisconsin Students Who Are Homeless Is Rising

13.5% of students in Beloit schools. 'Highest number I've seen.'

Attorney General Kaul Sues Trump Administration Over Unlawful Conditions on Funding for K-12 Schools

Federal Funding Cuts Could Shrink Wisconsin Libraries’ Services

A 'direct blow' to public libraries across the state.

Underly Says Wisconsin Schools Won’t Comply With Feds Anti-DEI Requirement

Underly, under threat of losing funding, says Wisconsin schools are already in compliance with federal law.

Sen. Larson stands with WDPI in their rejection of Trump Admin’s illegal threats to K-12 funding

Bipartisan Proposal Would Revive Pre-Kindergarten Program

Two-year pilot would fund reading readiness at child care centers.

Few Wisconsin Teacher Prep Programs Devote Enough Time to Math?

So says new report. 23% of Wisconsin 4th graders lack basic math knowledge.

Wisconsin Schools Have 10 Days To Kill DEI Programs Or Risk Losing Federal Funding

Federal order places Title I funding for low-income students at risk.

Underly Wins Second Term as State Superintendent

Underly defeats challenger Brittany Kinser in hotly-contested race.

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Statement on Dr. Jill Underly’s Reelection Victory

Trump Strips Another $645,000 from Wisconsin Schools

Kinser Still Silent as Real Damage Mounts

State Audit Reveals How Wisconsin Relies on Federal Funds

Audit Bureau details $18.6 billion in assistance, and a need for better records in certain areas.

Evers Vetoes Bill That Would Have Changed School Testing Standards

GOP-backed bill had passed largely along party lines.

CFC Statement on Governor Evers’ Veto of Assembly Bill 1

What Exactly Does The Department of Public Instruction Do?

The Underly-Kinser race has brought great attention to a department few understand.

Milwaukee Community Journal Endorses Brittany Kinser in Race for DPI Superintendent

Federal Funding Cuts Threaten Small Wisconsin Libraries

Trump order is 'going to disproportionately impact rural communities.'

How Federal Education Cuts Will Hurt Wisconsin

Big cuts for public schools, poor and disabled students, school lunches and more.

State Superintendent Race Has Big Stakes

Incumbent Jill Underly faces tough challenge by Brittany Kinser.

Lobbyist Brittany Kinser Continues to Lie to Voters About Her Credentials, NAEP, and Trump’s Education Cuts

Underly, Kinser Trade Barbs in Only Forum Before Election

Candidates spar over voucher schools, performance standards in lone joint appearance, a virtual forum.

Republican Bill Changing Student Testing Benchmarks Heads to Governor

Gov. Evers has previously said he would 'probably' veto proposal.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Race Likely to Double Spending Record

Higher conservative spending for that race and for state superintendent.

Early, In-Person Voting Begins for April 1 Election

March 18 is start of early voting for spring election headed by Supreme Court race.

Wisconsin’s Largest Voucher School Will Pull In $40 Million in 2025

Christian school Academy of Excellence in Milwaukee a leader in state voucher funds.

Democrats for Education Reform Endorses Brittany Kinser for DPI Superintendent

USDA Ends Program That Brought Locally-Grown Food To Pantries, Schools

Program paid Wisconsin farmers more than $11 million since 2022 inception.

Kinser Statement on the U.S. Department of Education

Challenges Underly to Conversation

GOAT Gets Started in State Legislature

Committee that is Wisconsin's version of DOGE seeks proof that state employees are really working.

New WMC Poll Finds Tie between Schimel, Crawford

Kinser Campaign – Underly Declines Participation in Key Milwaukee Forums

Wisconsin High School Graduation Rates Improve, Absenteeism Drops, Milwaukee Lags

Graduation rates highest in history, but still vary starkly by race, location.

Gov. Evers’ Statement on Suing to Stop Trump Administration from Gutting Funding to Address Teacher Shortages and Enhance Teacher Quality to Help Improve Student Outcomes

Kinser Campaign Statement on Executive Order Regarding Department of Education

Kinser Campaign: DPI in Disarray

Evers Warns Trump Tariffs Will Harm Wisconsin

'This is not good for our country. It sucks. It’s bad.'

Wisconsin Faces Teacher Retention Problem

State graduating many teachers but 44% leave profession within 7 years.

Lobbyist Brittany Kinser Sides with Republicans to Tie Wisconsin Schools to a Failing Federal Test

Rep. Shelia Stubbs Leads Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus Tour of the Milton House Museum

Gov. Evers Announces State Building Commission Approves More Than $103 Million in Key Projects Across Wisconsin

Projects approved by Commission include 11 UW System projects, efforts to complete the Milwaukee Crime Lab, and stewardship property development funds

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos Says He’s ‘Tight’ With Trump

In 2022 Vos told his party to move on from Trump. Now he's defending president.

Trump Admin Cuts Funding For MPS, UW-Madison Teacher Training

Teacher partnership grant would have trained 36 special education teachers.

Jill Underly: WEAC’s Last Ditch Effort

Assembly Passes Bill Banning Cell Phones in Classrooms

Republicans say ban would improve learning and mental health. Democrats call it an unnecessary attack on local control.

WEAC Recommends Underly for State Superintendent

Legislative Republicans Continue Their Decades-Long Attacks on Wisconsin’s Public Schools

Rep. Madison Rejects Republican Bills Disrupting Local Control Over Public Education

Bill Creates Observance Day in Schools for Civil Rights Pioneer Vel Phillips

There are currently 21 special observance days in Wisconsin public schools.

Wisconsin Democrats on Jill Underly’s Primary Victory

Underly, Kinser Advance in State Superintendent Race

Incumbent Jill Underly takes first, will face conservative-backed Brittany Kinser.

Gov. Evers Introduces “The Most Pro-Kid Budget in State History” in 2025 the Year of the Kid

Governor’s budget includes the largest investment in Wisconsin’s kids by any governor in Wisconsin history

$50 Million for Reading Instruction Will Return to State Surplus

Supreme Court won't rule on Evers vs. Legislature battle before end of fiscal year.

Federal Funds Uncertainty Threatens State Budget

$28 billion of projected two-year budget is supposed to come from federal funds.

GOP Lawmakers Propose School Water Filters to Address PFAS, Lead

Schools would also need to develop sampling and testing process.

MPS Audit Finds ‘Culture of Fear and Reluctance to Change’

But "prime opportunity" to overcome to get things right. Governor proposes $8 million in support.

Superintendent Candidate Jeff Wright Says He’ll Improve Communication With Public, Legislature

Wright is one of three candidates running in Feb. 18 primary.

Gov. Evers Releases First of Two Independent Audits of Milwaukee Public Schools

Audit directed by the governor proposes systemic operational changes, 29 actionable recommendations at MPS

Part 2: New Poll – Milwaukee Voters Reject Jill Underly’s Lowered Standards & DPI’s Honesty Gap, Demand Higher Expectations for Students

Public trust in the Department of Public Instruction and State Superintendent Jill Underly plummets as voters learn about statewide assessment changes

State Superintendent Jill Underly Running as Public Education Champion

'We need people in the Legislature who will fight for public schools, too,' incumbent says.

State Superintendent Candidate Defends Lack of Education Licenses

Brittany Kinser lacks Wisconsin’s teachers license and current school administrator license.

Legislative Proposal Would Reverse DPI’s Changes To School Testing

Superintendent Jill Underly criticized for decision to change standards.

CFC Position Statement In Support of Assembly Bill 1

Wisconsin AFL-CIO Endorses Jill Underly for Re-Election as State Superintendent of Public Instruction

State Supreme Court To Take Up Reading Funds Dispute, Bypass Appeals Court

Can Republican-led committee withhold funding passed by Legislature?

Underly Defends Changing Standards While GOP Lawmakers Propose Reversion

'Confusing at best and misleading at worst,' say lawmakers about DPI changing benchmarks.

Gov. Evers Announces New Efforts to Lower Everyday, Out-of-Pocket Costs for Wisconsinites and Working Families

CFC Action Fund Endorses Brittany Kinser for Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Funding For Wisconsin Reading Law Goes to State Surplus If Not Used by June 30

Republican legislators won't release funds, saying they don't trust how DPI will spend it.

How Many Undocumented Immigrants Work In Wisconsin?

A lot. The most in manufacturing, but biggest impact may be on farms.

Wisconsin Congresswoman Gwen Moore Endorses Jill Underly for Re-Election as State Superintendent

Underly Says Critics of Report Card Changes Are ‘Getting It Wrong’

DPI leader's achievement measurement changes have faced criticism from Gov. Evers, Speaker Vos.

Parents Disappointed By Delay in Switch to Phonics Teaching

DPI and lawmakers blame each other.

2024 Wrap Up- Gov. Evers Highlights Administration’s Accomplishments During “Year of the Worker”

Evers Administration celebrates successes bolstering and supporting Wisconsin’s workforce in 2024

Tax Bills Trigger School Funding Debate

Property taxes rising for schools. Evers, Democrats call for more state aid.

Wisconsin Senate Democrats Plan To Work Across The Aisle

With major gains in the number of seats, Democrats see opportunity.

‘First of its Kind in Wisconsin’ Collaboration Will Support Disabled Incarcerated Youth

'Break the cycle' program aims to help youth reentering society.