Wisconsin Education NewsMay 27, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Your Used Textbooks Have a New Chapter: Donate to Madison Rotary's 'Books for the World' The Madison Breakfast Rotary Club has collected and distributed used school library books and textbooks for over 20 years as the Wisconsin partner for Books for the World. Volunteers in Madison sort and prepare donated books for shipment—at no cost—to schools in countries where educational resources are scarce. Chippewa Falls Middle School students and staff recognized for life-saving response CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WEAU) - Chippewa Valley Middle School staff and students were recognized for helping save the life of a 7th grade teacher. They were recognized during a school board meeting on Tuesday night. English teacher Lisa Hilger suffered a sudden cardiac event during class while reading to students. She says she hadn’t felt well that morning. Students then got help and trained staff were able to respond quickly, initiating CPR and using a defibrillator until emergency crews arrived. Desire for increased school funding highlighted by Marquette Poll, leaders in education EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - According to a recent Marquette poll, 80% of Wisconsinites wish the State Legislature would have passed a bill they rejected almost two weeks ago. In addition to tax relief, the bill contained over $300 million in general school aid. It also would’ve provided $315 million of support for special education and programs for school age parents. Leaders in education, both locally and at the state level, agree that schools are struggling with the current levels of funding. Wisconsin DPI seeks public input on what students need to succeed after high school MADISON (WKOW) — State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly announced a statewide effort to define what Wisconsin students need to succeed after high school. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction launched the Portrait of a Graduate initiative to gather public input on the knowledge, skills and experiences students should have when they graduate. The effort aims to help schools better prepare students for college, careers, community leadership and civic life. Process to rename Chavez Learning Station underway in Kenosha KENOSHA, Wis. — Schools and educational programs across the country bearing the name “Cesar Chavez” are being renamed following sexual assault and abuse allegations against the late civil rights leader. The move follows a New York Times investigation in March revealed credible, historical allegations of sexual abuse, grooming and misconduct against Chavez. The New York Times article included a first-hand account from Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Chavez. She came forward to share that Chavez raped her, and other women.In Kenosha, the process to rename Chavez Learning Station is underway. Teen from New Berlin advances in the Scripps National Spelling Bee WASHINGTON D.C. — A middle school student from New Berlin advances to the quarterfinal round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. 13-year-old Ethan Robert correctly spelled the word “gurmukhi” in the first round, and provided the right information when asked about the meaning of the word “prosperous” in the second round. MADISON — As students across Wisconsin prepare to graduate and take their next steps, State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly today announced the launch of Wisconsin’s Portrait of a Graduate – a statewide effort to define the knowledge, skills and experiences students need to succeed in today’s world. Wisconsin sees largest drop in teacher union strength nationally Wisconsin teacher unions have seen the nation's largest drop in strength since 2012, according to a new study from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. The Fordham Institute, a conservative-leaning education think tank, ranked Wisconsin 36th among 50 states and the District of Columbia for teacher union strength, falling 18 spots from its previous 2012 study. The rankings factored in union resources and membership, involvement in politics, the state's labor and bargaining policies, policy wins and losses, and the perceived influence of teacher unions in the state. Medford elementary school wins world's biggest math contest, earns $50,000 technology grant MEDFORD, Wis. (WAOW) — Medford Area Elementary School won the Mythical Tier of the Prodigy National Cup and a $50,000 technology grant after students correctly answered more than 1.1 million math questions. Students answered 1,117,847 math questions correctly on game-based learning platform Prodigy Math to finish first in their tier in the national finals held over a two-week period in May. The school was competing against hundreds of other schools in their tier.
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