Education
U.S. House committee approves bills on whole milk, condemns sheltering migrants in schools
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee on Tuesday passed several bills that are a rebuke of not only the Biden administration’s policies on immigration, child nutrition and health care, but regulations from the Obama era. The committee passed a resolution that condemns the use of public schools to shelter undocumented people, a […]
U.S. Senate votes to block student loan relief, White House will veto
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted to overturn the Biden administration’s one-time student debt relief plan that is on hold due to a pending Supreme Court decision. President Joe Biden has vowed to veto the resolution, but the 52-46 vote forced vulnerable Senate Democrats up for reelection in 2024 to take a public […]
Bill to teach Hmong and Asian American history gets public hearing
“Asian American history is American history,” is the resounding message students, teachers, parents and others delivered to lawmakers at an Assembly hearing Thursday on a bipartisan bill that would require Wisconsin school boards to provide curriculum on Hmong and Asian Americans. The hearing, which comes at the end of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage […]
Biden student debt relief plan revoked in U.S. House vote
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Wednesday voted to overturn the Biden administration’s one-time student debt relief plan that is currently on hold awaiting a Supreme Court decision expected within weeks. Before the 218-203 vote on the resolution, the White House said President Joe Biden would veto it, arguing that the U.S. Department of Education […]
Finance committee splits along party lines on workforce, veterans and other budget items
Lawmakers writing the next state budget battled Tuesday over how to make it easier for employers to fill job vacancies, how to better serve state veterans, how to help the state regulate the insurance industry and how to support Wisconsin’s college and technical college students. The Republican majority on the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee approved […]
Black lawmakers push back on GOP effort to end campus DEI programs
Wisconsin’s legislative Black Caucus criticized Republican efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs on UW System campuses. In a statement released on Thursday, the nine members of the caucus accused the UW System of “cowardice” for giving in to Republican attacks on DEI programs and the use of DEI statements in job applications. […]
Republicans propose to restrict books, prosecute school staff
Republican lawmakers are proposing to remove certain books from schools and prosecute school staff who allow students to access materials deemed inappropriate. A co-sponsorship memo entitled “Protect Childhood Innocence” authored by Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha) and Sen. Andre Jacque (R-DePere) began circulating Tuesday. One proposed bill removes protections of schools and their staff against prosecution […]
More than a muffin: Getting serious about Teacher Appreciation Week
It’s that time of year again. Parents are sharing sign-up sheets, volunteering to bring flowers, cards and breakfast treats to their kids’ schools. “Teacher Appreciation Week,” like Mother’s Day, which comes hard on its heels, is all about celebrating the (mostly female) caregivers we depend on to make sure things are going OK for kids. […]
Biden proposal on transgender student athletes met with praise but also questions
WASHINGTON — Transgender legal scholars and advocates say they were relieved to see the Biden administration extend some protections for transgender students’ sports participation at a time when bans are being enacted by multiple states. But they say they remain cautious about the effect on high school and college sports. For two years, the U.S. […]
Biden administration warns U.S. House GOP debt limit bill would slash education
WASHINGTON — U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on Tuesday said House Republicans’ debt limit proposal would cut vital education programs and harm vulnerable students across the U.S., such as those who are low income or have a disability. “It would be taking us backwards,” Cardona said on a call with reporters. U.S. House Speaker Kevin […]
A pandemic experiment in universal free school meals gains traction in the states
WASHINGTON — Every public school kid in the United States was eligible for free school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of family income, thanks to the federal government. While that’s now ended, a growing number of states across the country are enacting universal school meal laws to bolster child food security and academic equity. […]
UW System president calls for financial assessment of two-year campuses
UW System President Jay Rothman has asked for a financial assessment of 12 of the state’s two-year branch colleges as they face dwindling enrollment and threats to their future survival. The request, in a letter sent to the four-year university chancellors responsible for the management of the branches, comes just months before in-person classes come […]