Jill Underly wins second term as state superintendent

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) – Incumbent State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly has won a second term in her position.

Underly, who was backed by Democrats, will serve as the top education official to oversee K-12 schools, based on unofficial election results.

“I’m really privileged to be in this position as Wisconsin’s state superintendent and I’m looking forward to the next term,” Underly said to CBS 58 ahead of her watch party in Madison.

According to her biography on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s website, Dr. Underly has been committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity for a first-class public education in the state of Wisconsin, with over 25 years of public education experience.

Underly's critics have raised concerns about her lowering the threshold for what is proficient on state tests and changing the terms to describe student success.

National testing data reveal a mixed bag for Wisconsin. The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) found Wisconsin's 8th grade math scores were among the nation's best; only Department of Defense schools had better scores than Wisconsin.

At the same time, Milwaukee's 4th grade reading scores were some of the worst among 27 participating urban districts. Only Detroit had a worse 4th grade reading score.

Statewide, Wisconsin's 4th grade reading performance mirrored a national trend of declining reading scores. Underly blamed a lack of adequate state funding for the downward trend, specifically pointing to the 2021-22 budget cycle when the Republican-held Legislature did not increase state K-12 funding, citing federal COVID-19 aid districts received.

You can find CBS 58’s full interview with Underly conducted ahead of the race here.