Delafield, Wis. – The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) analyzed the 2024 Educator Preparation Program and Workforce Analysis Report released by the Department of Public Instruction on Monday.

DPI’s report says Wisconsin is failing to train, compensate, and retain teachers adequately.

Unfortunately, Superintendent Jill Underly called for more spending on the status quo. IRG wants Wisconsin to adopt real solutions to the teacher crisis from other states’ superintendents.

THE QUOTE

“Wisconsin needs to prepare, pay, and support educators better,” said Quinton Klabon, Senior Research Director at the Institute for Reforming Government. “But that means DPI and districts must get serious about solutions: the science of reading, the number of non-teaching staff, and teacher apprenticeships. Leading states are innovating, not asking for more spending on the status quo.”

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

25% of Wisconsin college students fail the FORT Foundations of Reading Test. While the Universities of Wisconsin has said they are complying with reforms required in 2023 Act 20 that could help more students pass, DPI has not detailed that compliance. Meanwhile, only 10% of students fail in literacy leader Massachusetts, which has very demanding teacher preparation.

Teacher compensation is down significantly in inflation-adjusted dollars from 2010 to 2024. But Wisconsin has added 11,215 staff in that time, including 9,902 non-teachers, suppressing teacher pay as student enrollment declines. States like Iowa and South Dakota, which have kept staffing ratios stable, have raised teacher pay.

20% of new Wisconsin public school teachers leave before their 3rd year. Wisconsin has a teacher apprenticeship pilot that gives college students years of in-classroom experience before graduating, reducing turnover, but it only has a handful of participants. Meanwhile, leaders in Tennessee and North Dakota have produced hundreds of apprentices.

WHAT’S NEXT

DPI will release a 2025-2026 staff report in May. Wisconsin had more staff than ever before in 2025, despite having the fewest students since 1992. This trend could continue, often leading to more school referenda.

For questions, reach out to QK@ReformingGovernment.org.