Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Back to school is just around the corner (I know, I’ve been seeing school supplies in stores since early July, too). With my DPI colleagues, I've been working hard this summer preparing for the next school year and cementing our priorities for the DPI's next biennial budget request, which we will submit next month, and the Legislature will debate and adopt next year. More information on that to come.
Please also save the annual State of Education address! I will deliver the 2024 State of Education address on Thursday, September 26th at noon in the capitol rotunda in Madison. The speech will also be carried live on WisEye and will be available for replay on the DPI YouTube channel. Plan to join us!
Here are some of the things I've been up to recently.
National Board Certified Teacher Pinning Ceremony
I was so excited to meet the newest class of National Board Certified Teachers at this event, hosted by Governor Tony Evers and First Lady Kathy Evers. In conversation with these phenomenal educators, I was blown away by their enthusiasm and passion. Despite the extra work and effort, every one of them said that it was worthwhile, and that they would do it again. They felt the process made them better teachers, and inspired them to think deeply about the practice of teaching. This kind of dedication is one of the many reasons why I’m continually impressed by and in awe of our Wisconsin educators!
Addressing the 2023 YRBS Results
Unfortunately, Wisconsin teens continue to experience an alarming and profound mental health crisis. 59 percent of Wisconsin high school students who took the Youth Risk Behavior Survey last year told us that they deal with at least one mental health challenge within the past year.
We can and must continue to champion more funding and resources to help our kids. We also need them to know that they are not alone-- we are listening, and we care. Here is the link to the news release that we sent on the YRBS Summary report, and also a link to our press conference.
Check out the press coverage here:
Wisconsin youth continue to struggle with mental health -WPR
Survey: More than half of Wisconsin teens say had a mental health challenge in last year -Wisconsin State Journal
'An urgent and difficult message': 59% of Wisconsin youth feel anxious, depressed or suicidal -Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin high school survey shows that students continue to struggle with mental health -Associated Press
Wisconsin high school survey shows that students continue to struggle with mental health -Channel 3000
Screen usage continues to rise among Wisconsin high school students, new data shows -WKOW
New DPI Data Highlights Mental Health Struggles of Students -WSAU
As mental health challenges continue one local nonprofit is providing hope -Spectrum News
WPEN Summer Summit
I was so excited the welcome address at the 10th annual Wisconsin Public Education Network Summer Summit. I loved seeing so many public school supporters from around Wisconsin! You can learn more about this event and my remarks in this news story.
Chasing Rainbows
Before you head back to the classroom, I want to remind you to try and take a moment every day to enjoy the beauty of Wisconsin at this time of year. With all the dramatic rain we’ve had recently, we’ve also had a bumper crop of rainbows. I wanted to share with you this breathtaking double rainbow I enjoyed with my dog, Angus. A reminder that beauty is all around us if we take a moment to look outside!
