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In this opinion piece, Colleston Morgan Jr., Executive Director of City Forward Collective, issues a sharp critique of the educational crisis in Milwaukee following dismal NAEP results. He highlights that nine out of ten Black fourth-graders in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) lack basic math skills, such as identifying even and odd numbers. Morgan argues that despite record funding exceeding $1.5 billion, the district continues to fail its students while state leaders “gaslight” the public by lowering expectations. He calls for urgent, bold leadership and a move away from “Milwaukee nice” deflection to prioritize the academic success of the city’s children.

In an interview with Jim Cowen, Colleston Morgan Jr., the executive director of the Milwaukee-based City Forward Collective, criticizes the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s decision to lower academic standards. He argues that reducing “cut scores” muddies the reality of student performance and makes it impossible to compare data year-over-year. While acknowledging the importance of student motivation, Morgan contends that “lying” to students about their preparedness only sets them up for failure against national standards.

In this opinion piece for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Colleston Morgan Jr., Executive Director of City Forward Collective, argues that Wisconsin must move past its outdated school funding model to ensure every child has the resources to thrive.

The article outlines a vision for bipartisan cooperation to build on recent progress and implement a student-centered approach similar to states like Florida and Tennessee.

According to the article from The Center Square, City Forward Collective’s Executive Director, Colleston Morgan Jr., is calling for urgent action regarding the “rightsizing” of Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). Morgan argues that the district’s current timeline for closing under-utilized buildings is insufficient to address its mounting fiscal crisis.

City Forward Collective’s Executive Director, Colleston Morgan, Jr., has been recognized as one of NACSA’s 2025 Change Makers—”individuals whose leadership and dedication are helping to move authorizing forward. From improving systems and policies to supporting schools and students on the ground, these Change Makers exemplify what it means to lead with purpose and impact. Congratulations to our 2025 Change Makers”.

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Colleston Morgan Jr., executive director of City Forward Collective, emphasizes the importance of balancing data with personal engagement when choosing a school. He highlights his organization’s school finder map as a tool for parents to track student growth and proficiency rates. While these metrics provide a crucial baseline, Morgan stresses that parents should also have direct conversations with educators to gain a complete picture of a school’s environment. Additional Wisconsin based experts note that specialized options like magnet programs can help students lean into specific interests, such as the arts or STEM, though high-demand programs may have limited access.