Milwaukee Public Schools leaders discuss priorities for new school year

Milwaukee Public Schools leaders discuss priorities for new school year

Milwaukee Public Schools leaders and city officials are coming together Thursday morning to discuss priorities for the new school year.

Milwaukee Public Schools leaders and city officials are coming together Thursday morning to discuss priorities for the new school year.

Milwaukee Public Schools leaders and city officials are coming together Thursday morning to discuss priorities for the new school year.

MPS students head back to the classroom on Tuesday, September 1. The district is hoping to raise community expectations after a turbulent few years.

Wisconsin's largest school district has faced a slew of issues and scandals in recent years that include declining enrollment, problems submitting financial reports to the state, the resignation of former Superintendent Keith Posley, lead remediation in multiple schools, layoffs, and low literacy scores for students. MPS' current superintendent, Brenda Cassellius, is hoping to turn the district around and will highlight her goals at Thursday's press conference.

The district has already been addressing reading challenges after years of low scores. A 2024 National Report Card found only 27% of MPS fourth graders met basic reading levels, while 15% of eighth graders were proficient. More than 1,000 teachers participated in literacy training earlier this month, which included research on how children learn to read.

At Thursday's press conference, MPS plans to launch a new campaign called "Expect Great Things." The district said the campaign is focused on raising community expectations and highlighting the people and programs doing exceptional work across the district.

Cassellius will be joined by MPS Board President Missy Zombor, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and Starms Early Childhood Principal Tonya Love.