web01.fireside.fm Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:23:29 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Wisconsin Watch - Episodes Tagged with “Education” https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/tags/education Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:00:00 -0400 The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that reports on government accountability and quality of life issues, like education, the economy and the environment. It’s more important to us to get the story right than it is to be first and we believe in collaborating, not competing, with other news outlets. Not only can you find our stories on WisconsinWatch.org, but we give all of our reports away for free to hundreds of other news organizations. We are excited to start sharing our reports in audio form and you can find them wherever you get your podcasts! en-us episodic From the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism Wisconsin Watch The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that reports on government accountability and quality of life issues, like education, the economy and the environment. It’s more important to us to get the story right than it is to be first and we believe in collaborating, not competing, with other news outlets. Not only can you find our stories on WisconsinWatch.org, but we give all of our reports away for free to hundreds of other news organizations. We are excited to start sharing our reports in audio form and you can find them wherever you get your podcasts! no Wisconsin, news, investigative Wisconsin Watch info@wisconsinwatch.org Wisconsin students with disabilities often denied public school choices https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-public-schools-students-disabilities-options b7e82b7f-657f-4fbd-99f3-b6e261231f2b Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:00:00 -0400 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch Wisconsin lets public schools reject applications of students with disabilities who seek transfers across district lines — a form of exclusion courts have upheld. 21:56 no Public schools must serve all students living within their boundaries, including those needing special accommodations. But not all neighborhood schools are to meet the needs of students with disabilities, Mario Koran reports for Wisconsin Watch. The state’s biggest school choice program, open enrollment, allows students to apply to public schools outside of district boundaries. But those schools can limit or deny slots for out-of-district students with disabilities. Originally published on May 31, 2023. Wisconsin, disability, education, enrollment, False choice, news, students, vouchers, Wisconsin Watch Public schools must serve all students living within their boundaries, including those needing special accommodations. But not all neighborhood schools are to meet the needs of students with disabilities, Mario Koran reports for Wisconsin Watch. The state’s biggest school choice program, open enrollment, allows students to apply to public schools outside of district boundaries. But those schools can limit or deny slots for out-of-district students with disabilities. Originally published on May 31, 2023.

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]]> Public schools must serve all students living within their boundaries, including those needing special accommodations. But not all neighborhood schools are to meet the needs of students with disabilities, Mario Koran reports for Wisconsin Watch. The state’s biggest school choice program, open enrollment, allows students to apply to public schools outside of district boundaries. But those schools can limit or deny slots for out-of-district students with disabilities. Originally published on May 31, 2023.

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]]> ‘Unwanted and unwelcome’: Anti-LGBTQ+ policies common at Wisconsin voucher schools https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/anti-lgbtq-policies-wisconsin-voucher-schools 076042dc-cfde-4e64-82e4-7c906acdda64 Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:00:00 -0400 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch Many taxpayer-funded ‘choice’ schools in Wisconsin have anti-LGBTQ+ policies, often justified by Christian beliefs. And there’s little the state can do about it. 15:59 no The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic as part of a series of stories about discrimination in taxpayer-funded schools. The story focuses on Nat Werth, a gay student who was banned from delivering his valedictory speech in 2019 at Sheboygan Lutheran High School after officials discovered he planned to come out as gay during the speech. Reviewing the school’s current handbook, Werth says the school has beefed up its anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Said Werth: “If I was a kid with gender dysphoria, or even, like, questioning how people refer to me using my pronouns or if I wanted to use a different name and I read this, if this was what the school provided to me, that would have been extremely traumatic.” Originally published on May 31, 2023. Wisconsin, discrimination, education, False choice, LGBTQ+, news, schools, vouchers, Wisconsin Watch The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic as part of a series of stories about discrimination in taxpayer-funded schools.
The story focuses on Nat Werth, a gay student who was banned from delivering his valedictory speech in 2019 at Sheboygan Lutheran High School after officials discovered he planned to come out as gay during the speech. Reviewing the school’s current handbook, Werth says the school has beefed up its anti-LGBTQ+ policies.
Said Werth: “If I was a kid with gender dysphoria, or even, like, questioning how people refer to me using my pronouns or if I wanted to use a different name and I read this, if this was what the school provided to me, that would have been extremely traumatic.” Originally published on May 31, 2023.

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]]> The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic as part of a series of stories about discrimination in taxpayer-funded schools.
The story focuses on Nat Werth, a gay student who was banned from delivering his valedictory speech in 2019 at Sheboygan Lutheran High School after officials discovered he planned to come out as gay during the speech. Reviewing the school’s current handbook, Werth says the school has beefed up its anti-LGBTQ+ policies.
Said Werth: “If I was a kid with gender dysphoria, or even, like, questioning how people refer to me using my pronouns or if I wanted to use a different name and I read this, if this was what the school provided to me, that would have been extremely traumatic.” Originally published on May 31, 2023.

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]]> Federal, state law permit disability discrimination in Wisconsin voucher schools https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/federal-state-law-permit-disability-discrimination-in-wisconsin-voucher-schools 172fa0d2-7a60-4849-8b30-eec48a2aa5cb Thu, 22 Jun 2023 16:00:00 -0400 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch The state Department of Public Instruction says it has no legal authority to force private taxpayer-funded schools to accommodate students with disabilities 17:35 no The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic. This is Petrovic’s second story examining the laws and rules that allow publicly financed voucher schools to expel certain children for immutable characteristics, including having a disability or identifying as LGBTQ+. Originally published on May 20th, 2023. Wisconsin, false choice, education, schools The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic. This is Petrovic’s second story examining the laws and rules that allow publicly financed voucher schools to expel certain children for immutable characteristics, including having a disability or identifying as LGBTQ+. Originally published on May 20th, 2023.

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]]> The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic. This is Petrovic’s second story examining the laws and rules that allow publicly financed voucher schools to expel certain children for immutable characteristics, including having a disability or identifying as LGBTQ+. Originally published on May 20th, 2023.

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]]> False choice: Wisconsin taxpayers support schools that can discriminate https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/wisconsin-voucher-schools-discrimination-lgbtq-disabilities 8e0bc2e0-9771-484c-8a30-eaff55b596f3 Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:00:00 -0400 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch Dozens of voucher schools have policies that allow them to exclude LGBTQ+ students or those with disabilities. In many cases, it’s legal. 28:44 no The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic, who reveals that voucher schools must accept students with disabilities and LGBTQ+ students for admission — but can expel them based on those same inherent qualities. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Instruction called the situation “unfortunate,” but said the agency is powerless to enforce anti-discrimination laws for students enrolled in voucher schools. Originally published on May 5th, 2023. Wisconsin, false choice, education, schools The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic, who reveals that voucher schools must accept students with disabilities and LGBTQ+ students for admission — but can expel them based on those same inherent qualities. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Instruction called the situation “unfortunate,” but said the agency is powerless to enforce anti-discrimination laws for students enrolled in voucher schools. Originally published on May 5th, 2023.

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]]> The story was reported by Wisconsin Watch’s Phoebe Petrovic, who reveals that voucher schools must accept students with disabilities and LGBTQ+ students for admission — but can expel them based on those same inherent qualities. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Instruction called the situation “unfortunate,” but said the agency is powerless to enforce anti-discrimination laws for students enrolled in voucher schools. Originally published on May 5th, 2023.

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]]> ‘They can bring so much’: Despite barriers, Afghan evacuees enrich Wisconsin’s workforce https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/afghan-evacuees-enrich-wisconsins-workforce 6616f85a-e5f3-4419-b748-6d409b8606ff Tue, 24 May 2022 12:00:00 -0400 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch Wisconsin is in a labor crunch. Evacuees and other immigrants can help — if they can navigate transportation and other obstacles. 16:52 no More than 800 Afghan nationals have been resettled in Wisconsin — many of whom are highly skilled and educated but need to overcome barriers related to transportation, child care and language. Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles one Green Bay-area man who has stepped up to help eight Afghan evacuees obtain their driver’s licenses, enroll in English classes and connect with job specialists. Reporting by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published on May 5, 2022. Wisconsin, Afghanistan, Evacuee, Green Bay, Wisconsin workforce, Diversity More than 800 Afghan nationals have been resettled in Wisconsin — many of whom are highly skilled and educated but need to overcome barriers related to transportation, child care and language. Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles one Green Bay-area man who has stepped up to help eight Afghan evacuees obtain their driver’s licenses, enroll in English classes and connect with job specialists.
Reporting by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published on May 5, 2022.

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]]> More than 800 Afghan nationals have been resettled in Wisconsin — many of whom are highly skilled and educated but need to overcome barriers related to transportation, child care and language. Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles one Green Bay-area man who has stepped up to help eight Afghan evacuees obtain their driver’s licenses, enroll in English classes and connect with job specialists.
Reporting by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published on May 5, 2022.

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]]> ‘They can bring so much’: Despite barriers, Afghan evacuees enrich Wisconsin’s workforce https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/despite-barriers-afghan-evacuees-enrich-wisconsins-workforce e28078a2-0d63-45e4-9566-cc946b48e2f1 Tue, 24 May 2022 12:00:00 -0400 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch Wisconsin is in a labor crunch. Evacuees and other immigrants can help — if they can navigate transportation and other obstacles. 16:52 no More than 800 Afghan nationals have been resettled in Wisconsin — many of whom are highly skilled and educated but need to overcome barriers related to transportation, child care and language. Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles one Green Bay-area man who has stepped up to help eight Afghan evacuees obtain their driver’s licenses, enroll in English classes and connect with job specialists. Reporting by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published on May 5, 2022. Wisconsin, Afghanistan, Evacuee, Green Bay, Wisconsin workforce, Diversity More than 800 Afghan nationals have been resettled in Wisconsin — many of whom are highly skilled and educated but need to overcome barriers related to transportation, child care and language. Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles one Green Bay-area man who has stepped up to help eight Afghan evacuees obtain their driver’s licenses, enroll in English classes and connect with job specialists.
Reporting by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published on May 5, 2022.

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]]> More than 800 Afghan nationals have been resettled in Wisconsin — many of whom are highly skilled and educated but need to overcome barriers related to transportation, child care and language. Wisconsin Watch reporter Zhen Wang profiles one Green Bay-area man who has stepped up to help eight Afghan evacuees obtain their driver’s licenses, enroll in English classes and connect with job specialists.
Reporting by Zhen Wang / Wisconsin Watch. Narration by Wesley Lethem. Originally published on May 5, 2022.

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]]> MATC broadens access for Milwaukee students amid historical inequities, dropping enrollment https://wisconsinwatch.fireside.fm/matc-broadens-access-for-milwaukee-students-amid-historical-inequities-dropping-enrollment d1854c39-2ac2-4fd7-991e-492c03536080 Tue, 11 Jan 2022 14:00:00 -0500 Wisconsin Watch full Wisconsin Watch Wisconsin Watch reporter Mario Koran explores how Milwaukee Area Technical College offers free tuition, debt forgiveness and early credit to make college more affordable and more available to a diverse student population. 24:15 no Wisconsin Watch reporter Mario Koran explores how Milwaukee Area Technical College offers free tuition, debt forgiveness and early credit to make college more affordable and more available to a diverse student population. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Dec. 15, 2021 on wwww.wisconsinwatch.org news, Wisconsin, community college, Broken Ladder, Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Education Wisconsin Watch reporter Mario Koran explores how Milwaukee Area Technical College offers free tuition, debt forgiveness and early credit to make college more affordable and more available to a diverse student population. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Dec. 15, 2021 on wwww.wisconsinwatch.org

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]]> Wisconsin Watch reporter Mario Koran explores how Milwaukee Area Technical College offers free tuition, debt forgiveness and early credit to make college more affordable and more available to a diverse student population. Narration by Wesley Lethem for Wisconsin Watch. Originally published Dec. 15, 2021 on wwww.wisconsinwatch.org

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