Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Education is hard work, and it is hopeful work. There is so much good happening in our schools across our state! Starting off the new calendar year, we wanted to look back at some of the ways the DPI showed up in 2023 for Wisconsin educators and their students.
One of our greatest joys is shepherding the Teacher of the Year selections and celebrations. Every single year, we are awed and inspired by our Green Ribbon award schools. Their creativity and resourcefulness give us hope that we can create a more sustainable and just world.
Throughout the year, State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly visited schools around the state. She read with students, visited classrooms to learn subjects from ancient civilizations to electrical circuitry alongside students, heard from educators and students about some unique career and technical education offerings and opportunities, checked out incredible sustainability efforts at schools, and sidled up her cafeteria tray for a hearty school lunch during the Around the World in 80 Trays celebrations. (Check out the video– you won’t be disappointed!)
Dr. Underly and many of the assistant state superintendents spoke out supporting educators and students. In her annual State of Education address, Dr. Underly acknowledged the immense transformations that public education is undergoing in our state, and expressed optimism that with great change comes great possibility. Dr. Underly and other DPI staff issued statements and gave testimony at budget hearings on many different issues during the biennial budget process; we even held a student-run budget hearing! Whether it was about supporting our educational ecosystems, investing in youth mental health, supporting Indigenous educators and students, or protecting our students’ right to read.
The DPI also launched a five year strategic planning process, including an online survey, and has held community engagement sessions across Wisconsin and online to gather comments and feedback from the public. We’ve loved hearing from engaged educators, parents, and community members who are all focused on supporting our student, and if we haven’t heard from you yet, check out the survey and more engagement sessions on our website!
The DPI also rolled out some exciting new programs, including the Special Educators Induction Program to support new Special Educators, and the new Civics Scope and Sequence for grades K-12.
The truth is, we’ve barely scratched the surface of all the good things going on at the DPI this past year, and we can’t wait to tell you all the stories and projects we have in store for this year. We are so honored and thankful that we get to work hand in hand with some of the best educators in the world in service of our greatest hope and brightest future: our kids.
Take the DPI's Strategic Planning Survey and Attend a Community Engagement Session!
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is engaged in the creation of a five-year strategic plan. The Strategic Plan aims to align the work of the agency and the needs of all learners in our schools and libraries. Our strategic planning process features three phases culminating in a strategic plan in fall 2024.
Take the DPI Strategic Planning survey now!
Attend a Strategic Planning Community Engagement Session
Learn more about the DPI's Strategic Planning Process