August 15, 2025

Important Update on Status of Title Funding​

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is moving forward with posting allocation spreadsheets for Title grant funding for the 2025-26 school year. This action comes following a detailed review of the terms and conditions of grant award notification documents from the U.S. Department of Education.

Allocations set for release include Title II-A, Title III-A, Title IV-A, and Title V-RLIS. The release of these funds will allow subrecipients to fully budget for the upcoming school year.

• Amounts will be posted on the DPI’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act webpage on August 20, 2025.
• The DPI will open WISEgrants budget applications for these grants on August 25, 2025.
• Title IV-B, 21st Century Learning Community Center allocations will be posted August 25 with budget applications opening August 28.
• Title I-A and IDEA allocations are already posted in WISEgrants. These applications are open for budgeting.

The DPI continues to recommend local education agencies and sites consult their legal counsel and professional associations to understand what budgeting and expending these funds brings in terms of legal responsibilities in implementing federal programs. By accepting federal funds, the DPI and LEAs are providing assurances to the federal government that they are complying with federal and state laws.

Like previous years, once subrecipients create and submit budgets, DPI staff review to ensure budgets meet federal requirements before approving. Once approved by the DPI, LEAs and sites may start making claims against approved budgets to be reimbursed for eligible expenses.

Thank you for your continued partnership and dedication in supporting Wisconsin learners.

Education Leaders Recommend Updates to Report Card Benchmarks

Earlier this week, a group of over two dozen education leaders from across Wisconsin convened in Madison to participate in a standard-setting process aimed at updating performance benchmarks used in school and district report cards. The group worked collaboratively to review statewide data and, on Thursday, voted 25-1 to recommend updates to the benchmarks used in calculating overall accountability scores in report cards.

The group’s recommendations have been submitted to State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly for adoption. Once adopted, the updated benchmarks will be reflected in the 2024-25 school and district report cards, scheduled for release this fall. More information can be found in the DPI’s news release.

Since their introduction nearly 15 years ago, report cards have evolved alongside changes in state law and performance measures to better capture student growth, show differences in outcomes among student groups, and more. Periodically updating performance benchmarks is considered a best practice in maintaining a credible and useful accountability system.

Additional details on the recommendations and resources on the report card standard setting process are available on the DPI’s website.

The DPI is Evolving to Serve You Better

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction recently adopted a new organizational structure designed to strengthen how we support you. This reorganization is part of our broader strategic plan and was shaped by feedback from statewide listening sessions. It reflects our commitment to being more responsive, effective, and aligned in all the things we do.

DPI staff are now organized into more connected divisions, offices, bureaus and sections — reducing silos, improving coordination, and delivering streamlined service. You will still work with the same DPI experts you know and trust, but we’re better connected internally to get you the answers, guidance and resources you need faster.

We’re excited to move forward with you as a partner in this new chapter. Learn more about what’s changing and what it means for you on our website.

Updated Public Report Card App Now Available

As part of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s ongoing efforts to modernize tools and improve user experience, an updated version of the public report card application is now available.

This updated application maintains the same core features as the previous app, such as downloading PDF report cards for every school and district by school year. New features include the ability to search by school or city and download multiple report cards at once, and an updated interface. Secure, unredacted versions of report cards remain accessible in SAFE, the Secure Access File Exchange.

If you have questions about report card, please contact the DPI’s Office Educational Accountability at ReportCardHelp@dpi.wi.gov. For questions about accessing SAFE or the report card app, please contact the DPI's Help Desk.

Report Card Narrative Statement Collection

Districts/schools can submit optional, short narrative statements which are displayed on the front page of their report card and are intended to share insights beyond the data included (e.g. mission, initiatives, culture, curriculum, or other noteworthy characteristics).

Previous narrative statements and examples from other districts or schools are available on the new Public Report Card app by opening the first page of any prior school or district report card. Below is an example of where the narrative statement appears on page one of the report card:

New for the 2024-25 report cards, narrative statements submitted last year will automatically carry over to this fall’s 2024-25 report cards. If no changes are made by a school or district, last year’s statements will appear as is on this year’s report cards. There is an option to edit, add, or delete statements annually via the School Directory Management Portal, found within WISEhome. As always, narrative statements will appear in the fall preliminary secure release for your review prior to the public release.

For more information about the 2024-25 survey collection, including the timeline for submitting or editing a statement as well as instructions for gaining edit access to the School Directory Management Portal, please visit the please visit the Report Card Narrative Statement page. Please reach out to the DPI's OEA with any questions.

Reading Advisory Council Accepting Applications

The DPI invites community members from across Wisconsin to apply for the State Superintendent’s Reading Advisory Council. This group is dedicated to strengthening literacy learning and ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.

We welcome a wide range of voices, including educators, students, parents and caregivers, school and district leaders, librarians, educator preparation representatives, and other education partners. The DPI is committed to maintaining a council that reflects the diversity of our state to support comprehensive literacy efforts across Wisconsin. We strongly encourage individuals from communities that have historically been underrepresented in statewide education decisions to apply. Your perspectives and lived experiences are essential as we work together to build more inclusive and effective literacy practices.

Council meetings will be held virtually the second Monday evening of each month, from 4-5:30 p.m., from October 2025 through June 2026.

If you're interested in contributing to this important effort, please complete the application form by Friday, September 5, 2025.

Save the Date! 2025 State of Education Address

Mark your calendars for September 18 at Noon!

State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly will deliver the 2025 State of Education Address at the Wisconsin State Capitol.