November 11, 2025

Federal Focus: School Meal and Civics Graduation Test Updates

Developments continue at the federal level as it relates to the ongoing government shutdown. The DPI is awaiting guidance from the federal government, and once lawmakers come to a consensus on a budget and the president signs it, we expect there to be a lag in time before federal employees return to work and services restart.

School Meals Update

As a follow-up to the Oct. 28 EdLeaders Dispatch, please note the following updates and reminders:

• Student eligibility: Students who qualify for free meals through FoodShare (SNAP) participation remain eligible for free school meals.
• Reimbursement funding: The DPI has received additional USDA funding and can now process and pay reimbursement requests to cover November claims made in December 2025, regardless of the federal government shutdown. These apply to several USDA Child Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

Action Required: New Federal Civics Test Effective Oct. 20, 2025

Effective Oct. 20, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it will implement a new naturalization and citizenship test. Because Wisconsin law (Wis. Stat. 118.33(1m)(a)) ties the state civics graduation requirement to the federal test, districts must adjust accordingly.

Key Impacts for Wisconsin Districts

• New test bank: The USCIS test expands from 100 to 128 questions.
• State requirement: Wisconsin law requires students to answer 100 questions identical to those on the USCIS test and correctly answer at least 65 of them.
• District responsibility: Districts must select 100 questions from the 128-question pool. The DPI will not specify which 100 to use. Students must answer 65 correctly (not a percentage).

Implementation Timeline

• Before Oct. 20, 2025: Students who have already taken and passed the current test do not need to retake it.
• On/after Oct. 20, 2025: Districts should begin using the new 2025 test for all future administrations.

Additional Information

• Statutory provisions for students with disabilities or English learners remain unchanged.
• DPI guidance, resources and materials (including a Google Forms version, question spreadsheet, and comparison of 2007 vs. 2025 test content) are now available on the department’s website.

If you have questions, please contact DPI Social Studies Consultant Kris McDaniel at kristen.mcdaniel@dpi.wi.gov.

Legislative Update: New Student Cell Phone Policy Requirement

The current legislative session in Madison includes several measures impacting K-12 education. Going forward, EdLeaders Dispatch will share updates on newly enacted laws and provide guidance on what they mean for districts and school leaders.

New State Requirement: Student Cell Phone Policies

Effective July 1, 2026, all Wisconsin school districts must adopt and enforce a policy restricting student cell phone use during instructional time, per 2025 Wisconsin Act 42.

Additional information as you prepare for implementation is found below:

Key Requirements

• Policy adoption: District boards must approve a policy prohibiting student cell phone use during instructional time.
• Exceptions: Policies must permit use for emergencies, health needs, IEP accommodation, or teacher-authorized instructional purposes.
• Local control: Districts determine how to manage and enforce policies.

Reporting Deadlines

• By Oct. 1, 2026: Submit your adopted policy to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
• By Oct. 1, 2027, and annually thereafter: Notify the DPI if any policy changes were made and submit updated versions if applicable.

Next Steps

• Review and update current policies.
• Schedule board review and adoption prior to the July 1, 2026, deadline.
• Communicate expectations with staff, students, and families.
• Plan for professional learning and consistent enforcement.

The DPI will provide additional implementation resources to support your work. Districts are encouraged to work with their legal counsel to develop policies.

Thank you for your continued leadership in creating focused, safe, and supportive learning environments.

New Early Literacy Coaching Program

State law established a new Early Literacy Coaching Program, a statewide initiative to strengthen reading instruction and support educators.

Detailed information about the program is available on the DPI’s website, including the “What’s New and What’s Coming Next” timeline for applications, scoring, and school selection.

Stay informed by reading EdLeaders Dispatch, or sign up for the Early Literacy Newsletter for updates as they become available.

Take School Improvement to the Next Level with Educator Effectiveness

The DPI partners with all 12 CESAs to provide free professional learning and consultation services for public schools and districts using the Wisconsin Educator Effectiveness System. These services are designed to support continuous school improvement and enhance educator professional development.

To learn more about how these services can benefit your school or district, check out this flyer and contact your CESA today!