Jill Underly

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

2022 Roundup: Gov. Evers Highlights 2022 Accomplishments

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

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

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

State Superintendent Says Public Education Needs More Funding

Superintendent Jill Underly discussed challenges including mental health and racial disparities.

Michels Attacks Evers on Preschool Transgender Resources

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

Evers Unveils $2 Billion Schools Plan

Added K-12 funding for school meals, mental health programs and per pupil spending.

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

Evers Rips Republicans On Schools

Governor condemns funding cuts, 'censoring' teachers and using 'kids as political pawns.'

State Superintendent Pushes Gun Control

Restricting access to guns is key to protecting children’s lives, Jill Underly says.

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.

Gov. Evers’ “Get Kids Ahead Initiative” Awards $15 Million to Help Nearly Every Wisconsin School District Provide School-Based Mental Health Support for Kids

Evers Announces $5 Million Mental Health Funding

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

Liberal Group One Of Top Outside Spenders

A Better Wisconsin Together, backed by unions, spent $5.2 million on 2020-2021 races.

Assembly Considering ‘Parents Bill of Rights’ Legislation

Rights determine medical care, child's name and pronouns used at school and review of instructional materials, among others.

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

DHS Urges Public Health Practices to Keep Kids Safe and in School

Asks parents and guardians to take action as Omicron cases increase

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.

Evers Touts $110 Million Addition For Schools

New federal coronavirus relief funds for state’s K-12 schools include $9.6 million for MPS.

Gov. Evers Delivers on Promise to do What’s Best for Kids, Invests $110 Million in Wisconsin Kids and Schools

Funding directed by the governor to provide new, additional funding to every school district in Wisconsin

State Superintendent Slams GOP Over School Funding

Assembly Speaker Vos says more money won't fix problems in schools.

WisGOP Statement on State of Education Address

Superintendent Underly demonstrates clear vision, strong resolve through challenging times in State of Education speech

Legislature Plans Culture War Against Evers

Fall session could include “born alive” abortion bill, forbidding teachers from discussing race and more.

GOP Bill Requires Parent Notification of Gender, Sexual Orientation Education

Bill covers any instruction on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or gender expression.

Keeping Kids Safe During Back to School

As cases rise, DHS and DPI urge districts and schools to follow COVID-19 guidance

State Superintendent, Pediatricians Push Universal Masking in Schools

Masking in schools backed by CDC, public health officials and pediatrics associations.

State Legislature Debates Anti-Racism, Anti-Sexism Education Bills

Critical Race Theory discussed during debate. One bill requires instruction materials be made public.

DHS Releases New and Updated Resources for Schools to Keep Students Safe

Resources include updated guidance on outbreaks and new testing communications toolkit

State Officials Recommending Masks for Schools

Delta variant causing uptick in cases. Officials say masking will reduce school transmission.