March 14, 2025

New DPI Resources, Webpage Highlight Impact, Importance of Federal Funding

As you’re aware, federal funding plays a crucial role in the continued success and development of Wisconsin’s public schools and libraries. Recent proposals, potential funding cuts, and executive orders have raised concerns about the future of these essential resources.

In response to this and to help you better understand the specific impact of federal funding on your district, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has launched a webpage to provide real-time updates, critical information, and resources highlighting the importance of federal funding. This page will be regularly updated as new developments occur.

Wisconsin public schools receive $841.9 million from the federal government (see this updated one-page flyer). To help you understand the direct impact on your district, the DPI has also created an interactive map displaying district-specific data on federal funding. This map provides detailed breakdowns by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, showing the total federal funds received, the number of equivalent full-time educators supported by USDE funding, and the percentage of federal funds relative to your district’s revenue limit.

Additionally, the DPI has developed personalized one-page flyers for each district, which outline the specific impact of federal funding on your schools. These flyers are available on the bottom of the webpage and can be accessed by sorting the list alphabetically.

We encourage you to utilize these resources to emphasize the critical role of federal funding in your district and to communicate its importance to your school community.

Thank you for your continued leadership and support.

Response to U.S. Department of Education Staffing Reductions

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Education announced it would be significantly reducing staffing levels. This change, while not unexpected given recent communications, has raised concerns.

We are committed to providing you with timely updates, and of course we will continue to advocate for what we know our kids need. The DPI’s vision and mission remains unchanged.

In response to the announcement, State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly released the following public statement, stressing the importance of maintaining the current level of federal support to Wisconsin’s students, educators and schools.

“Every dollar saved through these actions must be reinvested directly into our children and schools, which are already stretched thin,” Dr. Underly said. “We cannot afford to make cuts that will undermine the very students and families who rely on these programs to thrive.”

DPI staffing remains the same, and we are continuously monitoring the situation and will provide updates as we learn more.

Please reach out to DPI General Counsel Ben Jones if you experience any service or funding interruptions from the U.S. Department of Education.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication and hard work. Together, we will continue to support Wisconsin’s students and communities and navigate these potential changes.

Annual Educator Effectiveness Evaluation Survey for 2024-25 Available Now

The Educator Effectiveness (EE) Grant requires completion of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) annual evaluation of the Wisconsin EE System. The Licensing, Educator Advancement and Development (LEAD) team has developed a brief survey to meet this requirement. This survey is required to be completed by all public school districts and charter schools that receive the EE Grant, regardless of what EE model they may be using, by April 11, 2024.

The DPI’s survey is designed to provide state and regional information, shared with DPI-contracted educator development and support staff at each of the 12 cooperative educational service agencies (CESAs), to improve support for the EE System's implementation. The survey remains short and focused on the implementation of the six EE Requirements. The survey includes one new question for state model districts to assess the effectiveness of recently implemented flexibilities. The survey does not require school districts or charter schools to identify themselves, distribute questions to teachers, or provide any individual’s demographic information.

How to take the survey:

• Assign one person to take the survey for the school district or independent charter school. Districts and independent charters only need to submit the survey once.
• Open the Qualtrics survey.
• Answer questions from the perspective of the whole school district or charter school based on overall practice and policy. Please note that the language of the questions may not match the local EE model terminology, like the names of EE conferences (planning session versus “beginning of the year”) or the names of observations (“mini-observations” versus “rapid-cycle”). In these cases, respondents should give the response closest to their local policies or model.
• Submit the survey. Make a note locally that the survey has been completed.

If you have questions, please reach out to the LEAD Team or Jacob Hollnagel, Education Consultant.

Welcoming Sara Knueve and Chanell Crawford to Key DPI Roles

We are pleased to announce that Sara Knueve has been appointed as the assistant deputy state superintendent at the Department of Public Instruction. In her previous role as a policy initiatives advisor at the DPI, Sara played a key role in shaping legislative policy and department initiatives, leveraging her expertise to drive meaningful change across the agency.

A proud Wisconsin native, Sara is a passionate advocate for equitable education for all students across the state. Before joining the DPI in 2022, she dedicated nearly two decades to public education in the Madison Metropolitan School District, where she worked tirelessly to bridge gaps between educators, families, and communities. Sara’s educational journey began at Platteville High School, followed by earning a BA in psychology and a master’s degree in social work. Her career foundation is rooted in community social work – she is a proud AmeriCorps alumnus and former program director for the Dane County Boys & Girls Club.

Sara is deeply committed to advancing best practices and policies that will shape the future of education in Wisconsin. She brings both passion and experience to this important role, and we look forward to the positive impact she will continue to make in education policy and practice.

We are also excited to announce that Chanell Crawford has assumed the role of assistant state superintendent for the Division for Finance and Management, effective Feb. 24.

Chanell joined the DPI in 2018, initially serving as a consultant with the Special Needs Scholarship Program and later charter schools. Since 2020, she has led the Parental Education Options team, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing education in Wisconsin.

Before joining the DPI, Chanell worked at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families as a policy initiatives advisor. She also brings valuable experience as a classroom teacher and from her work in community recreation settings. Chanell is a proud graduate of Duke University and Harvard University, where she studied policy and education.

Chanell’s extensive background and leadership will be invaluable in her new role, and we look forward to the continued impact she will have in shaping the future of education in Wisconsin.