Department of Public Instruction

Bipartisan Plan Aims To Change How Children Learn To Read

Phonics-focused curriculum would be modeled after efforts in more than 30 other states.

Taxpayers Support Schools That Can Discriminate

Dozens of voucher schools have policies excluding LGBTQ+ and disabled students.

Assembly Bill Requires High School Financial Literacy Class

Would be required for graduation. Cost of requirement concerns schools.

Ozaukee County’s First Private High School Proposed

Owner of shooting gallery plans Christian school based on Hillsdale College curriculum.

Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library Program Expands

State Superintendent Urges Legislators To ‘Do Their Job,’ Boost School Funding

Jill Underly 'surprised and hurt' that Joint Finance Committee hasn't invited her to testify.

School Board Candidates

Three contested races, including a citywide race.

State Data on Student Transfers Missing

MPS suspects private schools push students out after getting them counted for state aid.

DWD Launches “Welcome to the Workforce” Initiative with Webinar, Speakers Series for Teens, Parents, and Employers

Webinar and Speaker Events Offer Guidance on Rights, Responsibilities and Employment Success

Assembly Passes School Crime, Conversion Therapy Bills

Bill provides no funding for school resource officers. Democrats oppose both bills.

Evers Proposes Free School Lunches for All Students

Proposed $120 million program would help students, families and farmers, governor says.

Should State’s Schools Require Financial Literacy Course?

17 states require it. Evers, some Republicans favor it, but won't fully fund it.

Democrats Push Free School Meals Plan

Evers' budget includes $120 million to create 'Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids' program.

Bill Would Require Armed School Resource Officers

Republican proposal requires all schools to track crimes, hire officer after enough incidents.

Dan Kelly Doesn’t Stand With Wisconsinites on Public Education

A Better Wisconsin Together takes a closer look at Kelly’s close connections with groups that maliciously target public schools

WILL, SCW Threaten Wisconsin DPI with Legal Action Due to Bureaucratic Overreach in School Choice Program

Open Enrollment Plummeting at MPS

Down 44% in past decade, while numbers continue to grow for the state.

Will Police Officers Return to MPS Schools?

Activist groups oppose proposal, reportedly being discussed by MPD and school district.

Gov. Evers to Announce Plan to Build Upon “Kai 11” Bill, Invest in EKG Screening Pilot to Protect Student-Athlete Health

Mother, loved ones of Kai Lermer to attend as governor’s guests to 2023-25 biennial budget message

Gov. Evers Announces Budget Initiatives to Do What’s Best for Kids, Support K-12 Schools

Governor’s plan aims to improve reading and literacy outcomes, expand access to mental health services and school nutrition, address staffing shortages to help keep class sizes small, and increase per pupil and special education aids

Meet The Candidates Seeking Open State Senate Seat

Three Republicans, one Democrat running for seat held by retiring Sen Alberta Darling.

Big Numbers Drive Budget Decisions

Which 5 programs account for 84% of state budget? And when was the beer tax last increased?

DOJ, DPI, DHS NTER Launch Targeted Violence Prevention Course

Acts of targeted violence continue to impact the safety and security of our communities.

Gov. Evers: State of Mental Health “Burgeoning Crisis”

Governor declares 2023 the Year of Mental Health

Three Contested Milwaukee School Board Seats On April Ballot

Plus: two uncontested races. Meet the candidates.

St. Augustine’s New Elementary School Quickly Rising

St. Augustine will be the largest single-campus school in Milwaukee when building is completed this fall.

Shandowlyon Hendricks Reaves Declares Candidacy for Milwaukee Public School Board, District #1

2022 Roundup: Gov. Evers Highlights 2022 Accomplishments

2022 Roundup: Gov. Evers Completes 2022 72-County Tour of Wisconsin

Gov. Evers Appoints Ryan D. Nilsestuen to the Dane County Circuit Court

Schools Face Student Mental Health Issues

Post-pandemic adjustment difficult. MPS faces shortage of mental health clinicians.

Committee Advances Native American Education Bills

Joint Finance Committee will decide their fate. GOP legislator promises to champion bills.

Why Is A Wauwatosa School Board Member Suing His Colleagues?

Mike Meier alleges open meetings violation in approval of gender identity curriculum.

The Battle Over ‘Astounding’ State Surplus

Now up to an 'unprecedented' $6.8 billion. But can Evers and Legislature agree on any plans to spend it?

Many State High School Students Have Anxiety, Depression

One third of students report suffering from depression, highest since survey began in 1999.

Republicans Push ‘Universal School Choice’

Vos, others back a key platform plank of Tim Michels' losing bid for governor.

State Surplus Projected to Hit $6.5 Billion!

Wisconsin's fiscal condition the 'strongest in state history,' says DOA report.

UW System Quietly Adds More Charter Schools It Oversees

Now up to 13 K-12 schools, including one that's part of a for-profit chain.

Wisconsin School Libraries To See Record $52 Million In State Funding

Amount is up 30% from last year, part of long-running state program.

Anti-Transgender MPS Counselor Suing To Get Job Back

Marissa Darlingh gave anti-trans speech outside Capitol after identifying herself as MPS elementary counselor.

State School Report Cards Show Mostly Positive Results

95% of districts met or exceeded exceptions. But urban systems lagged behind.

Wisconsin Voters Approve Majority of School Referendums

Voters in 42 districts were asked to raise revenue limits for their schools.

Beware Skewed Numbers on School Funding

School choice supporters push misleading statistics.

Anti-Transgender Efforts Permeating Wisconsin’s Schools, Political Campaigns

Misinformation and fear-mongering leading to lawsuits, protests and harassment.

DHS Invests $8.3 Million in Wisconsin Schools for School Health Service Workforce

Evers, Michels Split on Public Schools

Evers wants $2 billion hike in K-12 school aid, Michels wants all the money for voucher schools.

Gov. Evers Announces More than $35 Million in Awards for Wisconsin’s Transportation Alternatives Program

Lake Country Charter Tied To Controversial Hillsdale College

Lake Country Classical Academy uses controversial Hillsdale charter school curriculum.

State Ramps Up Suicide Prevention Effort

Wisconsin surpasses national rate. DHS using federal grant for expanded program.

WEC Launches Election Education Video Series

Michels Attacks Evers on Preschool Transgender Resources

DPI says it’s not part of curriculum. Governor says he trusts parents to make decisions.

Educators Grapple With Learning Loss

Districts say they need more resources, teachers.

Gov. Evers, Superintendent Underly Welcome Kids Back to School, Announce Shared K-12 Priorities for 2023-25 Budget

State’s projected $5 billion surplus allows for increased investments in K-12 education without increasing property taxes

Schools Not Providing State Mandated Native American History

1989 Wisconsin law requires teaching of their history, culture and treaty rights.

The End of Universal Free School Meals?

Expansion of free meals with federal pandemic funding has ended. How will families, schools respond?

Trump Boosts Michels Over Kleefisch

Evers vs. Michels, Johnson vs. Barnes will make it a fall of nonstop ads. Plus: Vos almost loses.

Wisconsin Elections Commission Plans Fall Voter Education Initiative

Effort to build trust in elections comes as state legislators, Michael Gableman and Donald Trump call to decertify the 2020 election.

Charter School Reveals New $20 Million High School

Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy seeking to raise $25 million for new building and adding middle school.

$25 million capital campaign a “beacon” for educating Milwaukee children

Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy seeks to expand enrollment to 500 students with new high school facility

MPS, Most Schools Plan Free Lunches Next School Year

Federal funding for this ends June 30 but most schools plan to continue offering them.

Kleefisch, Nicholson Promise Overhaul of UW Regents

GOP challengers for governor promise to recall, replace Evers’ 9 appointees to the board.

St. Augustine Building Elementary School On Entire City Block

$49 million building will create city's largest school campus, serving 2,400 pupils.

Wauwatosa team wins annual ‘Wisconsin YES!’ youth biz plan contest with sign language app

State Democrats Push Gun Restrictions After Texas Shootings

Kaul calls for law requiring background checks and preventing sale of 'ghost guns.'

Students With Disabilities Subjected to Seclusion, Physical Restraint

Report finds 84% of all such incidents in state’s schools involve students with disabilities.

Schools Spend Relief Funds on Tech, COVID-19 Safety

Some schools are also hiring counselors and tutors to help children that fell behind during at-home education.

Court Rules Cedarburg Schools Must Address Racial Harassment

Ozaukee County judge finds district did not properly investigate complaints.

Homeless Program Gets National Recognition

HUD finds Milwaukee has lowest per capita count of unsheltered homeless people in the U.S.

High School Advanced Placement Struggles With Race, Diversity

Milwaukee school offers AP course in African American studies.

Bradley Bill to Increase Accuracy of School Report Cards Now Law

Evers Announces $5 Million Mental Health Funding

Grants from federal ARPA money will expand mental health services and telemedicine.

Gov. Evers Signs Bill to Promote Awareness and Understanding of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Young People

Law inspired by Waukesha student athlete who passed away in 2019

Fewer High School Grads Choosing College

State’s 2-year campuses, technical colleges see big enrollment drops amid a hot labor market.

WILL Appeals Religious Liberty Case to U.S. Supreme Court

Critical constitutional questions remain unresolved after Court of Appeals decision

Cedarburg Group Calls for Diverse Curriculum

Bridge The Divide lobbies school district, appeals to DPI, faces conservative opposition.

Advocacy Groups Lawyer Up On Schools

Education new political battleground, issues 'very visceral and very personal.'

WILL to Cedarburg School District: State Can’t Force Adoption of Critical Race Theory Concepts in Curriculum

Local activists attempting to force district into curriculum changes

Chronic Absenteeism Rising in Wisconsin Schools

Educators find it will be hard to reshape the attendance patterns created by virtual learning.

WILL Warns Elmbrook Schools That Nondiscrimination Laws Apply to All Students

Elmbrook administrator indicated a white student is not protected by state and federal nondiscrimination law

Families with Children Who Did Not Receive Free or Reduced Price Meals at School Due to COVID-19 Will Receive Food Benefits

Wisconsin issues first round of benefits through the 2021-2022 School P-EBT Program

School Choice Splits Legislators, Educators

Republican bill removes all limits on voucher program, as Democrats predict huge costs.

Milwaukee Excellence Announces New Four-Year Lease for High School Campus

Will move high school to 7171 W. Brown Deer Road in time for start of the 2022-23 school year

Gov. Evers Announces $1 Million in Funding for Teacher Training and Recruitment

MPS Is Still a Capitol Football

Latest proposal to break up school system is latest of such proposals going back decades.

Gov. Evers, PSC Urge Customers to Apply for Affordable Connectivity Program

Schools Scramble For Substitute Teachers

In Milwaukee, Kenosha, Superior. Some districts raising pay, offering bonuses.

MPS ‘Meets Expectations.’ Maybe

Better state report card for MPS comes with fewer students tested, and many questions.

Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address on Continued Support for Students, Families, and Schools as Omicron Spreads

Evers Administration, DHS, DPI Remind Schools of Support, Resources Available to Help Keep Kids and Educators Safe in School as Omicron Spreads

Waukesha Schools Beset By Political Battles

All signs supporting student groups taken down. Citizens group files federal complaint.

Evers Backs Union For UW Health Nurses

Governor says they 'deserve opportunity to organize and have a say in the workplace.'

State School Report Cards Bend the Truth

Moving the goal posts to make schools look better.

DPI, Legislators Clash On Federal Pandemic Aid

$77 million for state’s schools at stake. Republican rule violates federal law, US Education Secretary says.

Federal-State Battle Over School Pandemic Aid

US Education Department nixes GOP plan to favor schools that stayed in person in 2020-21.

Poverty Worsening For Some In State

70,000 households have children who went hungry because family couldn't afford food.

Graded on a Curve, Wisconsin Schools Score Well

DPI changes grading scale, says pandemic caused 'disruptions.'

Bill Lets Families Switch Schools Based on Vaccine Mandates

Students would be able to transfer if they are for or against COVID-19 policies, including mask mandates.

Evers Vetoes Reading Assessments

But governor signs bill requiring financial transparency for schools,

Governor Evers Signs Public School Spending Transparency Bill into Law

WILL supported new law to develop online dashboard for public school spending

Gov. Evers Takes Action on Eleven Bills