Department of Public Instruction

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.

Minority Leader Neubauer Believes Democrat’s Gains Will Change Assembly

Republicans will be forced to take up a number of "really popular issues" they've previously sidelined.

Fourth and Eighth Graders Falling Behind in Math

Declines since 2019 on national scores echoed by test results for Wisconsin students.

As DEI Efforts Targeted, DPI Leader Wins Diversity Award

Superintendent Jill Underly notes challenges facing minority, LGBTQ+ students.

State Superintendent Underly Seeks Reelection, Faces Challenger

Her opponent is Democrat and Sauk Prairie schools superintendent Jeff Wright.

Universities of Wisconsin to Evaluate Low-Enrollment Programs

Vos says UW request for two-year budget hike of $855 million is a non-starter.

Virginia Hart Special Recognition and Diversity Award Winners Announced

Proponents Say Universal School Meals Could Help Wisconsin’s Schools

State survey finds students with grades of D’s or F’s more likely to report going hungry.

Vos ‘Hopes’ Gableman Gets Disbarred

After hiring Michael Gableman to run 2020 election review, Vos now calls former high court justice an 'embarrassment' to all lawyers.

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Endorses Dr. Jill Underly for Reelection as Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction

The Archive as a Tool to Reimagine Racial Justice

New State School Report Cards Released

Most districts did well. Milwaukee suburbs lead the way. Changes in format criticized.

State Test Results ‘Worthless’?

Changes in tests make it difficult to measure how MPS students are doing.

Superintendent Jill Underly Proposes Lead Water Removal Program For Schools

Milwaukee has already targeting replacing lead service lines serving schools.

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

Gov. Evers Receives SELLY Award for Contributions to Advancements in Social and Emotional Learning

DNR Invites Wisconsin Libraries To Join ‘Check Out Wisconsin State Parks’ Program

Wisconsin DPI’s Proposed 2-Year Budget Seeks $4 Billion in New Spending

State superintendent wants to boost special education funding to 90% of costs.

Representative Shelia Stubbs Applauds Department of Public Instruction State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly’s Budget Initiatives

Dr. Underly Proposes Responsible Budget Putting Kids First

DPI budget proposal finally addresses the elephant in the room for K-12 education

Kaul Asks State Supreme Court To Order Release of $50 Million Literacy Fund

Dane County judge previously rejected request to release the money. Legislature has held funding.

AG Kaul Provides Resources for Parents to Facilitate Online Safety Discussions with Kids During Keep Your Kids Safe Online Month

UWM, Milwaukee Charter School Hope To Improve Teacher Diversity

A new program will make it easier for Hmong American Peace Academy students to become teachers.

Groundbreaking Held on Overhauling Former Cardinal Stritch Campus

St. Augustine Prep redeveloping campus into K4-12 school.

MPS Issues Won’t Impact State Aid Payments To Other Districts

Two-thirds of Wisconsin's 421 districts will receive more aid next school year. MPS docked $43 million.

2024-25 General Aid Announced for MPS

MPS Still Owes Financial Data To State

DPI says school district's financial problems are 'more significant' than expected

State Test Scores Show Nearly Half of Students at Grade Level

Better than last year on reading and math but new tests make comparisons difficult.

DWD Publishes 2024 Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council Annual Report

Jeff Wright Files for Wisconsin State Superintendent

State Superintendent Urges Legislature to Hike Special Education Funding

Just 31.5% of costs funded by state, notes Jill Underly. 'This is not nearly enough.'

Choice School Network Wants To Buy Former MPS School

One of largest local voucher schools wins bid for long-vacant Emanuel Philipp School.

Aycha Sawa Faces New Challenges as MPS Financial Officer

New CFO faces tough financial issues and sometimes tricky politics.

Senator Larson, school officials, and parents speak out on special ed funding gap, rise in referendums across WI

With Federal Funding Surge Ending, Schools Must Decide What Programs To Keep

Wisconsin schools received $2.4B in federal COVID-19 relief funds

Be Counted on Sept. 20, the State’s Third Friday Student-count Day, MPS Reminds Students

State Audit of DPI Prioritized Over Fish and Wildlife Analysis

Evers calls GOP-led audit 'ridiculous,' legislators say its needed.

MPS Pushed to Bring Back Police Officers In Schools

Pressure from DPI, legislators. Union says this will cause more student arrests, suspensions.

Serve Wisconsin Announces $12.8 Million in AmeriCorps Funding for Wisconsin

Less than Half of Wisconsin Voters Satisfied With Public Schools

Poll finds particularly high negatives in Milwaukee, where MPS financial problems arose.

MPS Failures Result In GOP-Called Audit of DPI

GOP-controlled committee moves to audit DPI practices, DNR fish and wildlife account.

Charter School Advances New Building While Uncertainty With MPS Looms

Carmen plans new building on Oklahoma Ave. MPS might kick it out of colocated space

Federal Lawsuit Charges Discrimination Against Student at Whitefish Bay School

Claims Black student bullied and school staff ignored, misrepresented family's complaints.

Court Rules Evers Properly Used Partial Veto

But rejected DPI request that Legislators release $50 million in funds for reading program.

Gov. Evers Announces DCF Secretary Amundson Leaving Evers Administration

Deputy Secretary Pertl appointed to succeed Amundson as DCF secretary

Discrimination Complaint Filed Over Book Bans in Menomonee Falls Schools

Parents say students get less of an education after school district removes 30 books.

2 Wisconsin Schools Moving to Net-Zero Energy

Dane County elementary school has achieved it, Fox Valley school plans to get there.

Wisconsin Student Mental Health Issues Persist, DPI Report Finds

35% of students reported experiencing depression, 20% reported self harm.

MPS Recall Organizers Say They’ve Collected 37,000 Signatures, More Needed

"Anonymous donors" paying for canvassers

The School Finance Fixer Comes to MPS

Todd Gray has solved financial messes at other school districts. Can he clean up MPS?

MPS Could Lose $81 Million in State Aid

Half of estimated loss due to state adjustment for school district's financial errors.

MPS Prioritizes Financial and Data Effectiveness as General Aid Estimate is Released

Legislative Republicans Say State Auditors Will Review MPS

Proposal comes in addition to Governor Tony Evers plan for outside audit.

Does MPS Need To Be Reorganized?

Crisis points to potential problems with school system’s financial oversight.

The Unknown MPS Office

Office of Accountability and Efficiency playing key role handling financial crisis.

Board Will Weigh In On MPS Trouble

Six supervisors support Sup. Bielinski's resolution opposing any changes to MPS governance.

Milwaukee DSA Stands with Public School Board Amid Privatizers’ Recall Stunt

MPS Consultant ‘Making Good Strides’ In Fixing Reporting Mess

Todd Gray helped Glendale-River Hills School District earlier this year.

Did 1991 State Law Give MPS Superintendent Too Much Power?

Former MPS Superintendent Howard Fuller, who pushed for law, says current leaders failed.

UW, Prisons, MPS Now Capitol’s Top Issues

Evers and GOP legislators disagree. Issues could figure in fall elections.

Board Passes $1.5 Billion MPS Budget

Amid financial scandal and with interim superintendent not yet named, school board approves budget.

Statement from the Milwaukee Board of School Directors

Documents Suggest MPS Financial Team Inexperienced, Understaffed

MPS hoping corrective action plan will release nearly $16 million in state funds.

Milwaukee Board of School Directors Announces Actions Related to Resolving District Finance Issues

Today’s Submission of Corrective Action Plan Marks Milestone in Collaboration with State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

AG Kaul Attends Office of School Safety Behavioral and Threat Assessment Management Training in Hudson, Wis.

Evers Moves Forward With Audits of MPS

MPS board member says $1.5 billion budget will get passed this week.

How Will School Board Hire New Superintendent?

What's the likely process and how were past decisions made?

Mayor Cavalier Johnson Pledges Four Points of MPS Involvement

Including helping select the next superintendent and city administrative support.

Gov. Evers Calls for Conducting Operational, Instructional Audits of Milwaukee Public Schools

MBSD Statement on DPI SPED Funding

MPS Submits Missing Financial Information To State

Board will first pick interim superintendent to replace Posley, then launch national search.