Jill Underly

GOP Lawmakers Propose School Water Filters to Address PFAS, Lead

Schools would also need to develop sampling and testing process.

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

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

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.

New Poll: Milwaukee Voters Demand Urgent Reforms to Address MPS’ Continued Shortcomings

Voters are rejecting Superintendent Jill Underly and DPI’s excuses for failing to hold MPS accountable — and continue to support significant reforms to address the district’s academic and financial challenges

State Superintendent Candidate Brittany Kinser Wants Higher Standards

Former teacher, principal and school choice lobbyist calls herself a 'moderate.'

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

Underly Campaign Launches Digital Ad Blitz in Advance of February 18 Primary

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

Wisconsin Has Widest Black/White Gap in U.S. in Math, Reading Scores

It's not the first time. 2024 results, and achievement gap, similar to those in 2022.

Evers Faces Washington, April Elections Headwinds

Will governor run for reelection? Are political winds behind or against Democrats?

Underly Defends Changing Standards While GOP Lawmakers Propose Reversion

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

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.

Milwaukee Public Schools Still Trying To Recoup Money From GOP Insider’s Defunct Nonprofit

Gerard Randall owes MPS for services not provided by Milwaukee Education Partnership.

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.

Two Candidates Will Challenge State School Superintendent Jill Underly

Sauk Prairie superintendent Jeff Wright and former principal Brittany Kinser.

Parents Disappointed By Delay in Switch to Phonics Teaching

DPI and lawmakers blame each other.

A Christmas Gift List For State Officials

What would Tony Evers, Robin Vos, Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson like to get?

The Real Problem with Property Taxes

Much of state funding for 'public instruction' doesn't go to the schools.

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.

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.

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.

State Senate Minority Leader Backs Using Budget Surplus to Fund K-12 Schools

Dianne Hesselbein suggests pairing this with a middle-class tax cut.

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.

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

Rep. Robyn Vining Cheers For Exciting Public Education New

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.

More Than 100 Wisconsin School Districts Seeking More Funding Through Referendums

Educators say Legislature not adequately funding public schools.

What Will Wisconsin Spend $4.6 Billion Surplus On?

Next budget will have room for investment but Policy Forum expert says lawmakers will need caution.

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.

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.'

Wisconsin Students Head Back to School

MPS leaders say the district is in a better place than it has been in years.

MPS, Celebrating First Day of School, Announces Hiring of CFO

Gov. Evers, Sen. Baldwin, State Supt. Underly among dignitaries welcoming students back at South Division High School

Regents Approve UWM Plan For Mass Layoff of Tenured Professors

Layoffs centered on general studies professors from two-year schools merged into UWM.

Wisconsin Student Mental Health Issues Persist, DPI Report Finds

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

Kamala Harris Visits Milwaukee

The new Democratic choice for president mixes a vision statement with attacks on Trump in speech to packed West Allis Central gymnasium.

Survey of Milwaukee Voters on MPS Financial Turmoil & School Board Recalls

Harris to Visit Milwaukee as Wisconsin Delegates Pledge Support

All eight Milwaukee-area delegates are said to have pledged support for Harris.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Limits Legislature’s Authority To Block Governor

6-1 decision rules that legislators wrongly blocked DNR stewardship funding.

Dane County Judge Strikes Down Parts of Act 10 Collective Bargaining Law

Lawsuit argues law violates state Constitution by treating different public unions differently.

Legislative Republicans Say State Auditors Will Review MPS

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

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

Mayor Not Interested in MPS Takeover

Johnson says no to city takeover, adds that all Milwaukee schools should be focused on better outcomes.

Child Care Providers Renew Call for State Funding

Programs struggling to survive. Evers supports more funding, GOP legislators don't.

Biden Hails ‘Transformative’ Microsoft Project in Mount Pleasant

President visited Racine to tout $3.3 billion project, slam Foxconn failure.

DPI Disagrees With Legislature Over Literacy Program Implementation

Law was signed last July, but parties at odds on implementation.

Seclusion and Restraint Incidents Down Slightly at Schools in 2022-23

But still affects thousands of students in Wisconsin; nearly 80% of them are disabled.

DPI Report Shows Educator Workforce Crisis in Wisconsin

Teacher retention a huge problem; compensation has decreased 20% since 2010.

School Districts Take Stock of Referendum Results

Across state, 56 of 93 of April ballot requests for more money passed.

Regents Approve UW Tuition Increase

Segregated fees, room and board rates, graduate tuition, nonresident undergraduate tuition will also increase.

Seclusion and Restraint of Kids in Wisconsin Schools

Nearly 13,000 incidents reported in 2021-22. ‘Districts should not torture children.’

Republican Committee Rejects DPI Reading Curriculum Recommendations

Stroebel defends shorter list. DPI says legislators didn't thoroughly review curriculum.

Bill That Would Hold Students Back For Truancy Passes First Major Hurdle

Assembly passes bill that would make frequently absent students repeat their current grade, sends it to Senate.

Department of Public Instruction Asks Lawmakers To Approve New Reading Curriculum

Proposal overrides the Literacy Council, which DPI says failed to meet deadlines.

Wisconsin’s Youth Struggle with Depression, Thoughts of Suicide

Especially girls, children of color, LGBTQ+ youth, state report finds.

Apprenticeship Bill Targets Teacher Shortage

Students would attend college two years, then teach for two more before graduation.

Herb Kohl Passes Away

Former U.S. Sen. Kohl, 88, also a philanthropist, businessman and longtime Bucks owner, dies after brief illness.

Three-Agency Collaboration Supports Higher Employment Rates for Individuals with Disabilities

Competitive Integrated Employment Yielding Improved Employment Outcomes

UW Regents Backtrack, Take Republican DEI Deal

Regents vote to accept limits to DEI programs in return for pay raises for 34,000 employees and new engineering building.

Elkhorn School District Parent Seeks Ban on 444 Book Titles

Largest such request in nation? School district considers changing book policy.

After School Contract Scrutiny, Randall Resigns From RNC Post

Republican party leader Gerard Randall's nonprofit had received no-bid contract from MPS, but work was uncompleted, false board members declared.

Marquette University education professor confirmed to Wisconsin’s Professional Standards Council for Teachers

Public School Libraries Will See Record Support From State Fund

Common School Fund from sale of public lands up by 25%, hitting record high.

Wisconsin Public Schools to receive $65 million from the Common School Fund in 2024, over $13 million more than 2023

Milwaukee Public Schools Ending Contract With GOP Leader’s Nonprofit

Decade-long no-bid partnership for Gerard Randall coming to an end following questioning by board.

GOP, RNC Leader Questioned Over No-Bid Contracts From Milwaukee Public Schools

Gerard Randall’s nonprofit received nearly $1.3 million from the district over the past decade. Leaders say he listed them as board officers without their knowledge.

Gov. Evers Announces Appointments to Governor’s Task Force on Workforce and Artificial Intelligence

30 task force members, national AI experts set to convene at public task force meeting Oct. 30 in Madison

Minocqua Brewery Super PAC Sues to End Voucher Schools

Suit charges they violate state Constitution and are destroying public education.

State Test Scores Up But Still Below Pre-Pandemic Level

Only about 40% proficient with big gap between Black and white students.

Bills Targeting Transgender Youth Draw Heated Hearing At Capitol

Gov. Evers has vowed to veto bills.

State Superintendent, GOP Legislators Duel Over Education

Underly defends DEI, public schools; Republicans push culture war, school choice.

Conservative Groups Oppose Including Voucher Schools In Transparency Dashboard

Bipartisan panel backs financial transparency dashboard, but School Choice WI and WILL object.

‘We’re Not Here For Crumbs’

40% of school districts got less funding from state budget Evers signed. Public school advocates are upset.

Mayor’s Political Director Steps Down, Leaves Nation Consulting

Sachin Chheda, who led successful statewide campaigns, leaves political consulting firm.

State’s Schools Had Nearly 7,000 Instances of Student Physical Restraint

DPI data from 2021-22 shows 76% of students restrained have a disability.

Evers, Vos Argue Over Amended State Budget

Evers reshaped budget with 51 partial vetoes, trades words with Republicans.

Assembly Passes Bill To Overhaul How Reading Is Taught

DPI gives support after changes. Plus: Pharmacists could prescribe birth control, alcohol regulations overhauled.

Republicans Have $50 Milllion, Science-Based Plan To Revamp How Children Learn To Read

DPI Superintendent says bill is "non-starter" as it includes 3rd grade retention requirement.

Survey of Wisconsin High Schoolers Finds Increase In Depression, Screen Time

50% report having anxiety, 33% depression. Recreational use of digital devices growing.

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.

State Data on Student Transfers Missing

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

Democrats Push Free School Meals Plan

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

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