State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly has revealed a hefty $59.5 million proposal to bolster Wisconsin's educator workforce, throwing a lifeline to a sector in the throes of a retention crisis. According to an announcement made at La Follette High School and outlined in her 2025-27 Biennial Budget proposal, the plan addresses the urgent need for recruiting and retaining teachers by offering stipends to student teachers, expanding a grow-your-own grant program, further development support for new educators, and reforming licensure barriers that have been a knot in the system's smooth operation.
Data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, gleaned from their 2022 Education Preparation Program (EPP) and Workforce Analysis Report, underscores the gravity of the situation, showing that around four out of every 10 first-year educators leave the state or the profession within their first six years, which highlights a concerning trend that Dr. Underly is aiming to reverse. “Investing in our education workforce is not just a necessity – it is a commitment to our future. That is why my budget proposes initiatives that support the development of new educators, eliminate barriers to licensure, and encourage innovative ways to grow the workforce," Dr. Underly underscored, in a statement obtained by the department's news release.
Under the umbrella of Dr. Underly's proposal, as detailed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, significant funding is earmarked for various strategic areas: a $10,000 stipend will be channeled to student teachers, complemented by a $3,000 boost for cooperating teachers to alleviate debt and living expenses during the formative phase of their careers, while $5 million is tagged for grants to nurture homegrown educators. Moreover, an expansion of the Peer Review and Mentoring Grant Program, estimated at $7.4 million, is designed to shepherd educators through their first few precarious years.
Dr. Underly's plan aims to review and reform teacher certification requirements, especially the Foundations of Reading Test, which has seen a significant drop in pass rates. This raises concerns about whether the test effectively measures a teacher's skills. Alongside this, she has proposed budget increases for school nutrition and mental health services, creating a more comprehensive support system for Wisconsin's education community.
