Kinser Still Pushing Collapsing Federal Test While Trump Dismantles Public Education

MADISON, WI — Lobbyist Brittany Kinser is still pushing for Wisconsin to tie its education standards to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), even as the Trump administration guts the federal agency that runs it.

NAEP– long considered the Nation’s Report Card– is now on life support. Reports show the program has been decimated by layoffs, with only one staff member remaining to administer it nationally. The Institute of Education Sciences (IES), which oversees NAEP and provides critical education data, has been defunded under Trump’s leadership.

But lobbyist Brittany Kinser continues to ignore these facts– and the consequences for Wisconsin students.

“Brittany Kinser wants to tie Wisconsin’s education system to a federal test that may not even exist next month,” said Jorna Taylor, campaign manager for Underly for Wisconsin. “It’s reckless, it’s out of touch, and it proves she’s more interested in political talking points than real education policy or a plan for the future.”

Kinser Won’t Stand Up to Trump, Musk, or DOGE

Kinser has refused to say a word about the Trump administration’s cuts to education, including:

• The collapse of NAEP and IES due to staff layoffs and budget cuts
• The abrupt cancellation of critical teacher training programs in Wisconsin
• Loss of federal education funding that supports Wisconsin schools and students
• USDA cuts to fresh food programs that feed kids and support local farmers

While Kinser stays silent, Wisconsin schools are already feeling the impact– and families are left wondering who she’s really fighting for.

“She won’t criticize Donald Trump. She won’t criticize Elon Musk. She won’t criticize DOGE. Why? Because those are her donors,” said Taylor. “Kinser is campaigning to oversee Wisconsin’s public schools while cozying up to the same people who are tearing them apart.”

Under State Superintendent Jill Underly‘s leadership, Wisconsin moved away from NAEP and adopted better, Wisconsin-built academic standards. Educators and experts from across the state helped create rigorous benchmarks in math, science, and career and technical education.

Dr. Underly’s work gives Wisconsin students more opportunities and gives schools accountability tools ground in local needs, not a national test that’s falling apart.

Kinser’s proposal to reverse that work isn’t just backward– it’s dangerous.

Five Questions for Brittany Kinser

1. Why are you still pushing to tie Wisconsin’s Education system to NAEP when the program is falling apart?

2. Why haven’t you said anything about the Trump administration’s cuts to education and the collapse of NAEP?

3. Why won’t you speak out against Elon Musk, Donald Trump, or DOGE while they slash education funding?

4. What’s your plan to replace the more than $1 billion in education funding Wisconsin stands to lose?

5. If you can’t stand up to your political donors now, how can voters trust you to stand up for our public schools?

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.