Public News Service

In August, experts advise parents to pay attention to their child's mood, to spot and help soothe any anxiety from back-to-school jitters. (Adobe Stock)

Getting your kiddo in tip-top shape for school

Wisconsin children will soon head back to school and experts have a few tips to get them back into a routine and make sure they're in good shape…

Some skeptics of the nation's strong employment numbers contend they are propped up by people working multiple jobs to get by. But those in the public sector said there are high-paying jobs out there benefiting from new federal investments. (Adobe Stock)

WI voice: Economic progress noticeable when connecting policy dots

Depending on who you ask, the economy is on a solid path to improvement or is a drag on working families. A Wisconsin educator said he is seeing …

The group Kids Forward says until 40 years ago, Wisconsin's Black residents actually earned more and had better jobs than their national counterparts. But it adds that years of policy decisions have worsened disparities in the Badger State, including well-being metrics for kids. (Adobe Stock)

WI makes the grade for child well-being, but education woes, disparities stick out

An annual report suggests Wisconsin has a strong foundation in creating positive outcomes for kids. But low-test scores and racial disparities show …

Nearly 40% of Wisconsin school-aged children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches at school. (Adobe Stock)

WI first state approved for kids' summer meal program

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

The Wisconsin Hospital Association estimates about one in five nurses around the state is moving on from their profession. (Adobe Stock)

For-profit colleges complicate WI's nursing shortage efforts

Wisconsin faces a big staffing shortage of registered nurses. Advocates hope for key solutions to bear fruit amid unease about the emergence of for-…

According to the Wisconsin Literacy organization, a child of parents with low literacy is 72% more likely to have low literacy themselves. (Adobe Stock)

In helping people read better, experts tout accessibility, incentives

Even though March is barely underway, parents of Wisconsin kids are being encouraged to plan for summer reading activities - especially if their …

According to the World Resources Institute, more than 1,200 electric school buses are operating in the United States, with several thousand more either on order or being delivered. (Adobe Stock)

Electric bus movement looks to accelerate

Most school and transit buses on the nation's roadways these days are still powered by diesel engines but in Wisconsin and elsewhere, there is hope …

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce says Wisconsin ranks 14th in the nation when measuring the growth of college degree attainment between 2010 and 2020. (Adobe Stock)

More Americans 'learning and earning,' but college degree gaps persist

The U.S. has seen an increase in the percentage of adults with college degrees, which helps boost their lifetime earnings. But a new report shows …

According to the USDA, Wisconsin is among the top ten states for farmers' markets. Officials with a new grant program said it is one reason why the Badger State can serve as a leader in getting more locally grown food into school lunches. (Adobe Stock)

New grants designed to give WI 'farm to school' efforts more muscle

In making school meals healthier, so-called "Farm to School" programs are nothing new but Wisconsin might see the efforts reach new heights with a …

The Wisconsin Policy Forum said the state's teacher turnover rate last year included both the highest levels on record of teachers moving between districts and the second-highest levels of those leaving the profession. (Adobe Stock)

Can collective-bargaining case help with WI teacher shortage?

A lawsuit challenging Wisconsin's collective near-total bargaining ban for most public workers is by some seen as a way to bolster the state's beleagu…

Just like community libraries, Wisconsin's school libraries blend traditional reading with technology. The Wisconsin Schools Digital Library Consortium says more than 200 K-12 school districts provide more 50,000 e-books and audiobooks to over 400,000 kids, for $1.65 per student. (Adobe Stock)

School libraries no longer just defined by Dewey Decimal System

American Education Week is underway, and those who work with Wisconsin school libraries are highlighting the value they provide to students. School …

Conservative-linked groups such as Moms for Liberty have established local chapters in states such as Wisconsin in hopes of getting more supporters elected to school boards. But education observers say voters have had a lukewarm response to the movement. (Adobe Stock)

As other states mull results, recruiting starts for WI school board candidates

While many other states analyze school board races from this week, Wisconsin candidates will soon begin filing paperwork for elections next spring…

Officials with the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Student Success Through Applied Research Lab are gathering data from colleges and universities across the country as they create a searchable database for Indigenous students seeking financial relief. They hope to have an initial version ready next year. (Adobe Stock)

WI Project to Create Financial Aid Tool for Native College Students

Indigenous college students face many obstacles in higher education, including overwhelming costs and not feeling culturally connected on campus…

In the early 1990s, a federal framework for youth apprenticeship programs took shape, and Wisconsin was an early adopter in establishing a state-level program. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: WI Youth Apprenticeship Could Serve as National Model

Wisconsin has the largest and longest-running youth apprenticeship program in the country. And social policy researchers are out with new findings …

Thursday's U.S. Supreme Court decision ending affirmative action in college admissions was in response to specific policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. The ruling is expected to affect such programs at schools around the country. (Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Upends Consideration of Race in College Admissions

There's been widespread reaction to yesterday's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to restrict affirmative action in college admissions. Wisconsin …

In key categories measuring child well-being, Wisconsin consistently ranks among the top 20 states in an annual report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Despite High Ranking, Child Well-Being Concerns Persist in WI

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened overall. States like Wisconsin fared better in the …

Siena Chrisman of State Innovation Exchange, Kellon Patey of People's Action and Caitlin Cromwell of Northern Plains Resource Council discuss policy goals at the 2023 Rural Policy Action Summit. (Photo courtesy of Rural Democracy Initiative)

Wisconsin Voices Reflect on Rural Summit

Rural advocates from around the U.S. recently gathered to lay out policy priorities at the state and federal levels in hopes of making smaller …

In March 2020, COVID-19 forced schools in 185 countries to close their doors, according to the<br />United Nations. (Adobe Stock)

Teachers' Union Leader Testifies About School Closures During COVID

Earlier in the pandemic, Wisconsin Republicans brought legal challenges to shutdowns meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Three years into the …

In a 2022 national survey of teachers, 74% said climate change will have an enormous impact on students' futures, and it would be irresponsible not to address the matter in schools. (Adobe Stock)

Closing the Generational Gap on Climate-Change Education

A new report warns that the window is quickly closing to prevent the most harmful effects of climate change. As global leaders face pressure to act…

The National Alliance on Mental Illness says one in five college students faces a mental-health condition. (Adobe Stock)

Following MSU Shooting, College Students Reminded to Seek Support

This week's mass shooting at Michigan State University is the latest in a long list of such tragedies to happen on a campus, and students in …

Some student loan scammers will use a website that mimics the U.S. Department of Education or the borrower's loan servicer, and their correspondence may even have tidbits of the borrower's real information, such as the current payment amount. (Fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Borrowers Inundated with Student-Loan Scams

Scammers targeting student-loan borrowers in Wisconsin and elsewhere are shifting into high gear - spurred by the uncertainty surrounding President Jo…

While some animals, such as rodents, are not protected by the Animal Welfare Act when it comes to research, others are, including primates. (Adobe Stock)

UW, Other Schools Face Calls to Improve Animal Safety in Research Labs

The University of Wisconsin won a recent legal battle tied to accusations of animal abuse within its research facilities. Activists hope that doesn't …

Lack of cultural inclusion in off-reservation schools is seen as one of many barriers for Native American college students in completing their degree. (Adobe Stock)

WI Tribal College Highlights Key Milestones

Only 17% of Native Americans are able to continue their education after high school. Tribal colleges hope their efforts to help these students …

This year, more than 70% of attempts to restrict library resources targeted multiple titles. (Adobe Stock)

Banned Books Week Observed in Wisconsin Libraries

Controversial books are nothing new, but the incidence of book challenges and bans has increased substantially in recent years. This week marks the …

Children ages 5 to 17 miss nearly two million school days in a single year due to dental-health problems, according to the Healthy Schools Campaign. (teeth.org.au)

Health Screenings Seen as Important Factor for Student Success

School students across Wisconsin are still getting settled as the new academic year unfolds. And experts say it's important to get them in for a …

A new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum finds Wisconsin spends about $541 per undergraduate student in financial aid, nearly half the national average of $980. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Financial Aid Lags Cost of Higher Ed for WI Students

Wisconsin offers dozens of financial aid programs for students looking to attend college, but a new report finds funding for those programs has …

Excessive exposure to screens and the blue light they emit can impact kids' sleeping patterns. Per Wisconsin's Office of Children's Mental Health, kids aged 6-12 should sleep nine to 12 hours a night, and teens should get at least eight hours. (Adobe Stock)

As WI Schools Integrate New Tech, Experts Advise Managing Screen Time

The pandemic has compelled many teachers to integrate new technology into their lesson plans, increasing the risks excessive screen time can pose to …

In a statewide survey of Wisconsin school districts, 37% said they were unable to provide students with Wi-Fi cards or hotspots. (Adobe Stock)

New Federal Funds Address Broadband Dilemma for Rural WI Students

PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis. -- Broadband gaps affect many facets of life, including education. The new federal infrastructure plan includes money to expand …

College student Jasmine Neosh, a member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, is pursuing several areas as part of her academic career, including environmental justice. (Photo courtesy of Neosh)

'Indigibration' Part of Effort to Help Tribal College Students Feel Seen

SHAWANO, Wis. -- Ahead of Indigenous Peoples' Day on Monday, a campaign is being launched to elevate the voices of tribal college students, with a …

States like Wisconsin have created task forces addressing student loan issues. In the meantime, teachers are applauding on overhaul of a federal relief program. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Overhaul Could Provide Student Debt Relief to WI Teachers

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Major changes to the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program could have a big impact on some of …

Under a proposed bill, Wisconsin schools would risk losing state aid if they taught certain concepts about racism. (Adobe Stock)

WI Plan to Ban Certain Race Teachings Sees Backlash

MADISON, Wis. -- When the Wisconsin Senate resumes its session this month, it could take up a bill containing restrictions on teaching philosophies …

Federal education officials say Wisconsin Republicans need to commit more state-level aid, or risk losing federal COVID relief dollars for schools. (Adobe Stock)

K-12 Funding Emerges as Big Concern in WI Budget Talks

MADISON, Wis. - Public-school advocates say they're alarmed about the education spending levels being floated in the Wisconsin Legislature - and one …

Wisconsin law doesn't require schools to have a nurse on duty, but in the pandemic, many in the education community say funding should be provided for school districts that can't afford one. (Adobe Stock)

Survey Suggests Many Rural WI Schools Lack Nurses

MAPLE, Wis. -- Many rural school districts in Wisconsin indicate they will offer some form of in-person learning this fall. As they implement safety …

Native American students have faced long-standing education disparities. But their parents face a harder choice in dealing with distance-learning challenges, or sending them to school from families are more vulnerable to coronavirus. (Adobe Stock)

COVID-19: Native American Educators Face Unique Challenges

HAYWARD, Wis. -- Educators have raised fears about reopening classrooms during a pandemic - concerns that are amplified for schools in Native …

In Wisconsin, according to a new report, the gap between students and teachers of color rose from about 19 percentage points in 2009 to 25 points in 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Report: WI Woefully Lacking Teachers of Color

ARCADIA, Wis. -- Wisconsin's public school student population has become more racially diverse, but its teacher workforce still is mostly White…

In addition to Monday's school board vote, the Madison City Council is expected to formally endorse a decision to no longer have city police officers patrol school buildings. (Adobe Stock)

Madison District Joins Movement to Remove Police from Schools

MADISON, Wis. -- One of Wisconsin's largest school districts has decided to stop having police officers stationed inside its school buildings…

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction says it expects schools to reopen this fall, but parents and students can expect things to look very different after of the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Can Wisconsin Schools Afford to Reopen Safely?

MADISON, Wis. -- Parents and educators face uncertainty over the potential reopening of school buildings closed because of the pandemic. Wisconsin …

Census officials say undercounting of young children has been an issue for decades, and fear it could be a bigger problem for the 2020 count. (Adobe Stock)

Early-Childhood Funding Vital in Counting All WI Kids

MADISON, Wis. -- Outreach groups for the 2020 census count say Wisconsin relies heavily on federal funding for early-childhood education. They say …

Education accounts for one-third of general revenue spending in Wisconsin. (Adobe Stock)

Report: WI Budget Fallout Could Harm Lower-Income Schools

MILWAUKEE -- If Wisconsin policymakers freeze or cut education spending amid the coronavirus budget fallout, lower-income districts might shoulder …

The Federal Communications Commission says roughly a half-million Wisconsin residents lack access to high-speed internet. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Underscores Wisconsin's Broadband Woes

MADISON, Wis. - Like other states, Wisconsin is trying to function during the pandemic with workers and students connecting online in their homes…

Wisconsin is projected to have a budget surplus of more than $450 million by the end of next year, but leaders are split on how to use it. (Adobe Stock)

WI Leaders at Odds Whether to Spend Surplus on Public Schools

MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers wants state lawmakers to meet in special session Tuesday to discuss spending surplus money on education…

The debate over the use of American Indian mascots still is playing out in professional sports, and at the high-school level as well. (Fibonacci Blue/Flickr)

Despite Pushback, WI Schools Will Still Allow Native American Mascots

MADISON, Wis. -- In a decision that angered activists, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards recently declined to endorse a proposal that called …

You may think of solar panels for homes or businesses, but a study says about 5,500 U.S. schools use them, too. Schools currently have enough solar capacity to power 190,000 homes. (MariaGodfrida/Pixabay)

New WI Program Aims to Boost Solar Power in Schools

MADISON, Wis. -- Solar installations aren't just for homes and businesses. Thousands of K-through-12 schools across the country have them, and the …

A new report says Latinx and white children, and children under age six, are among the groups that saw the biggest increases in loss of health insurance from 2016 to 2018. (Gtorres8944stash/Morguefile)

Number of WI Uninsured Children Holds Steady, but Just Barely

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin saw a slight increase in the number of uninsured children between 2016 and 2018. And according to a new report…

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos kicked off her 2019 Back-to-School Tour at St. Marcus Lutheran School, which serves 900 students. The administration touts the school as home of the first-ever education freedom program. (Pixabay)

Wisconsin Parents Urge DeVos to "Care" About Public Education

MADISON, Wis. — During Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' recent visit to a Milwaukee voucher school, public-school supporters showed up to …

The American Heart Association and others are confirming that, yes, we learn better and think more clearly after a good night's sleep. (Adobe Stock)

Doctors Confirm Mom’s Wisdom: ‘Get to Bed, It's a School Night’

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – With school back in session, doctors are saying, “Well, your mom is right – time to turn the phone off and get to …

A shortage of substitute teachers is one of the biggest challenges facing Wisconsin school districts in the 2019-2020 term. (StockSnap)

Wisconsin School Districts Scramble to Find Substitute Teachers

MADISON, Wis. – Just days into the new school year, many Wisconsin districts are already dealing with a serious shortage of substitute teachers…

Through Roots to Glory Tours, American chefs traveled to Benin and Togo to explore their cuisine. (Devon Hamilton/Michael Fields Agricultural Institute)

Dinner Illuminates African Roots in American Cooking

MADISON, Wis. – There's a connection between African cooking and the United States. Devon Hamilton, associate policy director with the …

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WI: Education