Thursday, November 6, 2025
“When we have opportunities to learn about other communities and peoples across our state, we can truly understand what Wisconsin is all about.” — David O’Connor, Wisconsin DPI Education Consultant (American Indian Studies)
The American Indian Studies (Wisconsin Act 31) state statutes have enriched students' learning in Wisconsin. Since the legislation was first implemented in 1989, Act 31 has benefited Wisconsin public school students and educators by helping them understand the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of the American Indian Nations of Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is currently collaborating with Tribal partners and the Survey Research Center (SRC) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls to better understand district and educator needs and to strengthen the implementation of Wisconsin Act 31 requirements. Please participate in this short Wisconsin Act 31 Teacher Survey, currently open through November 14, 2025, for your input. The survey is specifically designed for 4K–5 teachers and grades 6–12 content teachers (e.g. social studies, English language arts, etc.).*
Thank you in advance for your participation. Your input will help inform future training, resources, and technical assistance related to American Indian Studies instruction in our schools. Participation is voluntary and anonymous, but your feedback is essential.
Note: if you previously received a copy of the survey by email from SRC at UW-River Falls, please use that link to complete the survey.
If you have questions or seek additional information on the survey, please contact DPI Education Consultant (American Indian Studies) David O’Connor via email at david.oconnor@dpi.wi.gov or via phone at 608-267-2283; DPI Policy Initiatives Advisors Saavedra Yesenia yesenia.saavedra@dpi.wi.gov; or Laura Adams laura.adams@dpi.wi.gov.
*The 2025 Wisconsin Act 31 survey for administrators has now closed. Thank you to everyone who provided their valuable input.
New American Indian Studies Resource Available
The DPI develops and shares numerous resources at no cost to Wisconsin educators to support statutorily required instruction in American Indian Studies. Be sure to take a look at the newest addition: American Indian Studies Enduring Understandings: A Resource for K-12 Educators. This resource may be used to supplement packaged curriculum or district-developed curriculum and is applicable to a wide range of content areas, including but not limited to social studies, science, English language arts, fine arts, and more.
We also encourage educators to visit each of the Tribal Nations of Wisconsin websites along with visiting the DPI American Indian Studies Program and the Wisconsin First Nations Education websites for additional resources and materials to incorporate American Indian Studies topics into practice.