Department of Public Instruction

Kowalik Still Resists School Reopenings

City health leader says schools must get approved plan to reopen, with precise rules still to come.

Public Schools Fight for Funding

MPS, other public school districts have gotten no federal CARES funding while choice and charter schools get millions.

MPS Will Begin School Year Virtually

School districts aren't prepared to educate in person with current levels of COVID-19.

The City of Milwaukee Phase 4 Assessment Update—MKE Cares mask ordinance in effect & clarification on school openings

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order Creating Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access

Choice, Charter Schools Get Big Payday

Federal Paycheck Protection grants don’t fund public schools but do fund private schools.

Evers Won’t Issue New Shutdown Order

Cites Republican and Supreme Court opposition even as state cases double in just one month.

Beloit Billionaire Starts Charter School

Children need better schools, says Diane Hendricks. It’s “divide and conquer,” says city official.

Gov. Evers Announces Statewide Efforts to Distribute PPE to Schools, Food Processors, Businesses

Will MPS End Truancy Program?

Under state law school system pays for four police officers in TABS program.

State Rules for School Voucher Applications Changed

A lawsuit has just made it easier for families to prove they're eligible for school choice vouchers.

DPI Drops Illegal Policy After WILL Lawsuit

WILL sued DPI for blocking family from state voucher program

K-12 Teachers Don’t Reflect Students’ Diversity

Study finds state's teachers of color up by 22.5% in last decade while students of color rose 28%.

Gov. Evers Announces More Than $80 Million in COVID-19 Financial Assistance to K-12 Schools and Higher Education Institutions

High Rate of Turnover for School Superintendents

Some superintendents leap frog from district to district, advancing their career or salary.

Evers Meets With Lawmakers on Police Reform

Governor says the state is at a "watershed moment" for the issue of police reform, racism.

Christian Family Solutions Expands Mental Health Counseling Services to Inner-City Milwaukee Students with $100,000 Grant from Bader Philanthropies

CFS’ outpatient counseling and day treatment programs provide trauma-informed and culturally sensitive therapies to Milwaukee children at little to no cost to students and schools.

Summer Schools Will Be Mostly Online

Amid pandemic, school districts in Milwaukee, other cities, will stick to virtual learning.

Wisconsin’s Lousy Record for Women in Politics

Two politicos talk about getting more women in elected offices.

Wisconsin DOJ Employees Honored by U.S. DOJ for Efforts to Rescue Missing and Exploited Children

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces Nearly $20 Million in AmeriCorps Funding For Wisconsin

Gov. Evers Announces Appointments to Governor’s Task Force on Student Debt

Rural Educator Running for State Superintendent

Jill Underly, superintendent of the Pecatonica School District, wants to address educational inequities caused by poverty.

Jill Underly Announces Candidacy for State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Evers Orders Budget Cuts

State losing billions in revenue due to the economic shutdown.

Wisconsin to Provide Temporary Food Benefits for Children Missing School Meals

Near-Record Year for School Referendums

Spring election’s voters pass more than 80% of local school funding referendums.

School Districts Adjust to Distance Learning

Drop-offs, drive-ups and digital classrooms being used in state’s schools.

MPS Teachers Using Tech To Engage Students

The district isn't holding online classes, but some teachers are still at work.

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