Department of Public Instruction

Gov. Evers Announces New Order Relating to Department of Public Instruction

State’s Schools Scramble to Teach Online

Uneven access to virtual classrooms, mixed results at MPS, other school districts.

Gov. Evers Mandates Closing All K-12 Schools

Governor expects to reopen schools on April 6.

Milwaukee Public Schools Four-year Graduation Rate Rises

MPS continues to show gains in four-year student outcomes

Gov. Evers Acts on More Than 60 Bills

Will School Choice Help Reelect Trump?

Democratic attacks on choice and charter schools favored by minority voters could backfire.

A Report Card for Milwaukee Schools

State data shows charter and choice schools typically outperform traditional public schools.

Gov. Evers Announces Appointments to 2020 Census Complete Count Committee

Voucher Programs Cutting Into Public School Funding

State Sen. Erpenbach and Rep. Pope introduce legislation requiring a referendum before state aid to school districts can be cut.

Gov. Evers Calls Special Session on Education, Reducing Property Taxes

Gov. Evers' plan announced today recommits to two-thirds funding for K-12 education, including $130 million in property tax relief through equalization aid

Gov. Evers Signs Sixteen Bipartisan Bills

The Return of Phonics

New state DPI leader pushing schools for greater use of phonics.

Gov. Evers Signs Bipartisan Legislation at Milton High School

School Leaders Reject Ban On Indian Mascots

Proponents of policy "shocked” and “disappointed” by WI Association of School Boards’ vote.

Report Finds ACT Test Decline Since 2014

State’s students less college ready, ‘alarming' black vs white achievement gap.

Evers Releases Anti-Vaping Agenda

Package of politics targets youth vaping, a “serious public health epidemic.”

Gov. Evers Takes Action to Address Youth Vaping

“Vaping is a serious public health epidemic and it is time to take action," said Evers.

Homelessness Decreasing in Wisconsin

Nationwide homelessness is increasing. Meanwhile, state lawmakers argue over funding to combat the issue.

Basketball Coach Demands Good Grades

Pulaski/Carmen H.S. coach Melvin White pushes players to score on and off the court.

WILL, SCWA Win School Choice Lawsuit Against DPI

Judge rules DPI violated law in treatment of choice schools

Gov. Evers Reviews His First Year

Not satisfied, but cites progress on schools, health care, “Scott holes”.

State Virtual Charter Schools Up 140%

In the last decade virtual charter school enrollment grew from 3,106 to 7,465 students.

Another Evers Cabinet Pick Under Fire

Republicans won’t approve Dawn Crim, Secretary of the Department of Safety and Professional Services.

What Is State Doing About School Security?

$96.2 million for security upgrades and training. Has that addressed the problem?

12% of Students Feel Unsafe in School

And 5% of state teens now carry a weapon to school, study finds.

Behold the Democratic Green Team

“Forward on Climate” package includes bills on green banks, weatherizing schools.

Why State’s Schools Teach Native History

1989 law sought to expand our understanding of many native tribes with deep roots in Wisconsin.

Still More Positive News on Voucher Schools

Big jumps in test scores for School Choice students.

First Lady, State Supt. Stanford Taylor, Historical Society Announce Suffrage Classroom Resources

Today’s announcement comes during the centennial anniversary of Wisconsin’s Ratification of the 19th Amendment.

The Charter School Dilemma

They perform better and are supported by most black voters — but opposed by most white Democrats.

Did DPI Break the Law?

To make choice schools look bad, it manipulated state test data.

Lawmakers Held Accountable for Votes on Education with Report Cards

s districts statewide receive state-mandated report cards, public education advocates demand an assessment of lawmakers who set budgets that determine schools’ ability to succeed

Right-Wing Groups Sue DPI On Test Scores

They claim “selective” release of data. DPI says it followed state law.

Private School Vouchers Cost $350 Million

Public schools lose millions, led by $37 million deducted from MPS funding, DPI data shows.

Over 81 Percent of Students Snagging Taxpayer-Funded Private School Vouchers in Statewide Program This School Year Attended A Private School Last Year

$350 Million Tab for Private School Vouchers a Huge Cost to Taxpayers, Drain on Public Schools

Segregation in Milwaukee Area Schools

The data tells a sobering story of racial and economic separation.

#KeepYourPromise Governor Evers

One month after pledge, Evers shows no progress on government transparency

Journal Sentinel Censors Voucher Test Scores?

All the news about public school test scores, very little about voucher students.

State of Staffing K-12 Public Schools: Help Wanted

Teacher Exodus and Falling Enrollment in Teacher Programs Is Crisis for Education in Wisconsin

Betsy DeVos Comes to Town

U.S. Education Secretary visits St. Marcus Lutheran School, promotes $5 billion federal plan for private schools.

Legislature Should Put Students First

Long-term school funding, teacher experience, student test scores are all down.

Study: Evers, Barnes, & Agencies Failing to Follow Walker Open Government Executive Orders

Evers’ administration is dysfunctional and disorganized, threatens to move Wisconsin backwards on transparency.

Bill Expands Minority Teacher Loan Program

Would bring more minority teachers to 20 additional school districts.

State School Spending Hits Record $6 Billion

Both parties take credit for K-12 schools funding hike. But can it be sustained?

State Agencies Give Zero Days for Comment

Evers Administration uses lame duck law to make policy changes with no chance for public comments.

Gov. Evers Launches Back to School Health Resource for Parents

"A kid's ability to succeed in the classroom can be impacted by both their physical and mental health."

Milwaukee’s Newest Power Family

That would be developer Kalan Hayward, Sr. and young legislator Kalan Hayward II.

Shilling Co-Authors Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Teen Dating Violence

“Experiencing unhealthy relationship practices as a young adult can have lifelong negative impacts including increased risk for depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.”

State Supreme Court Off the Deep End?

Ruling reducing state superintendent’s power violates state constitution, common sense.

Education Activists Turn To Misinformation To Distort GOP Budget

Public education activists should be honest about the large increase and they should be grateful to taxpayers for the hard-earned dollars provided to fund it

7 Reasons Evers Won’t Veto Entire Budget

Why the governor won’t use the nuclear option on Republican budget.

Human Trafficking Still a Hidden Problem

State had more than 60 cases in 2018, but much of it undetected, experts say.

High Court Says Governor Rules Over Schools

Conservative majority’s decision says elected state superintendent must get governor’s approval for rule changes.

Gov. Evers Announces Appointment of Linda A. Hall as Director of the Office of Children’s Mental Health

Ms. Hall will begin as director of the Office of Children’s Mental Health on July 8, 2019.

Gov. Evers Announces Pardon Advisory Board, Establishes Pardon Process

The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board will review eligible applications and make recommendations to Gov. Evers on who to grant a pardon to.

8 Resources for Adult H.S. Learners

Where and how to get a high school equivalency diploma or GED.

PrideFest Boasted 120 LGBTQ Artists

45,787 people attended, making it the largest pride event ever held in Wisconsin.

Voucher, Charter Schools More Cost Effective

Report finds they deliver at least 50% more education per tax dollar than public schools.

No Shame in the School Lunch Line

Milwaukee state Rep. LaKeshia Myers is co-sponsoring a bill that would prohibit school districts from singling students out when it’s time to have a midday meal.

20 Wisconsin school districts awarded Fab Labs Grants

Governor Tony Evers, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, WEDC Secretary Mark Hogan and other key leaders to award grants during statewide tour on Fab Lab Day

Gov. Evers Announces Staff Appointments for Governor’s Office in Milwaukee

Dr. Shandowlyon Hendricks-Williams will serve as the Milwaukee Director, Edwin Huertas will serve as the Milwaukee Deputy Director, and Revelle Williams will serve as the Milwaukee Constituent Services Manager.

Gov. Evers Announces Appointments to Judicial Selection Advisory Committee

The committee is responsible for interviewing and recommending candidates to the governor for consideration when he fills judicial vacancies.

Republicans Call for Reset of Evers’ Budget

Governor’s cabinet members get hammered on many issues by GOP legislators.

Governor’s Budget Makes Critical Investments in our Public Schools

"After years of underfunding from Republican lawmakers, the governor has put our children’s future and the needs of our local schools first."

WILL, SCWA Sue DPI in School Choice Lawsuit

State’s ed agency illegally preventing private choice schools from counting “virtual instruction” towards classroom learning requirements

Majority Leader Fitzgerald’s Statement on Governor Evers’ School Voucher Plan

"Governor Evers’ plans would do immense harm to the voucher program and create uncertainty for schools, students, and their families."

Governor Evers’ Budget Targets School Choice: What You Need to Know

Governor Evers' Budget Targets School Choice: What You Need to Know

School Mental Health Program Funding Needed

Evers proposes $63 million in funding, an investment that could have big payoff.

State Trails Nation on School Breakfasts

17% of schools don’t offer breakfasts, putting Wisconsin near bottom nationally.

Wisconsin Policy Forum Makes Statewide Educational Data Easy to Compare

New School DataTool Includes Enrollment, Student Performance, Other Measures

WILL Sues DPI For Embargoed ESSA Documents

Documents would shine light on whether DPI is illegally implementing ESSA

Evers Backs Off On Killing Vouchers

Governor admits it can’t be done. His own DPI data shows why it shouldn’t be done.

Walker Far Outspent Evers in Election

Record $93 million spent on governor’s race, with nearly $58 million for Walker.

Can MPS Be Fixed?

The school board seems opposed to any innovations that might fix struggling schools.

Evers Wants Reversal on ACA Suit

Will ask Attorney General Kaul to change state’s stance, says this won’t violate lame duck law.

Evers Taps Barca, Former Obama Official

Rep. Barca will run revenue department, Andrea Palm will run Health Services.

Governor-elect Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Barnes Announce Cabinet Members

"This talented group of leaders will help our administration address the issues Wisconsin residents asked us to focus on."

Evers Wants Voucher Costs on Tax Bills

New governor’s budget will include showing cost of private school vouchers on property tax bills.

Experts Praise New State Superintendent

Evers’s choice, Stanford Taylor, is state’s first black superintendent of public instruction.

Governor-elect Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Barnes Announce Additions to Administration Team

"The team members we are announcing today will help our administration connect the dots on important issues facing our state."

Low Wages, Lack of Benefits Fuel Child Care Worker Shortage

Despite certification programs, high turnover persists

Extraordinary Session Update: Legislature Approves Critical Reforms

Legislature approves administrative rulemaking reforms, tax reform; maintains DPI oversight

Extraordinary Session Policy Items Flying Under the Radar

A lot of good but a few red flags

State Investigators Leave Teachers in Limbo

DPI investigations may present due process problems, appeals court judge writes.

Governor-elect Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Barnes Announce “What’s Best for Kids” Advisory Council

"I’ve said from the beginning that what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state..."

Governor-elect Tony Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Mandela Barnes Announce Health Policy Advisory Council, Transition Staff Additions

"Expanding access to affordable health care for Wisconsin residents is a top priority for our administration."

Milwaukee Excellence is the Highest Rated School in the City of Milwaukee

Milwaukee Excellence students take 120 minutes of math and reading each day in order to close enormous learning gaps identified when students enter the school.

Voters Approve $1.3 Billion More for Schools

Since 2012 state has cut school spending by cumulative $3.5 billon. Local referendums plugging the gap.

Banana Republic Politics

Republicans threaten governor’s power, but may actually kill a bad 2017 law they passed.

MPS shows modest improvement on state report card

MPS schools improve category ratings, have higher scores than last year

Who Will Appoint State Superintendent?

If Evers doesn’t resign until taking office as governor, he could appoint his successor.

MPS Charter Schools Work Better

So why doesn’t the school board embrace them?

Walker, Evers Talk Taxes, Health Care, Immigration At First Debate

Gubernatorial candidates also discuss criticism from former Walker cabinet secretaries; charges of plagiarism at Wisconsin's DPI.

NRA Has Spent $4.33 for Every K-12 Student in Wisconsin to Buy Scott Walker

No Group Has Been a Bigger Obstacle to Reform Than the NRA and No Politician Has Gotten More of Their Money Than Scott Walker

Students, educators have more opportunities for career exploration with launch of Inspire Wisconsin network

More than 230,000 students will be able to directly connect to businesses statewide as regions expand collaborative efforts

Property Taxes Increase Under Walker

GOP tax shift continues to hurt Wisconsin schools and homeowners

Northwestern Mutual Foundation Invests Nearly $3.4 Million to Foster Thriving Neighborhoods and Educational Success

Funding aims to strengthen local communities, enrich education through supportive programming

Do Walker, Evers Campaign on State Time?

Elected officials have looser rules for how much time they can take away from the job.

Governor Walker Announces $56,664 in Financial Literacy Grants to Wisconsin Schools

"These financial literacy grants will help thousands of students to broaden their personal financial knowledge..."

Governor Walker Celebrates the Opening of United Community Center Acosta Middle School’s New Facility

Commends school for focusing on high-demand fields: science-technology and skilled trades