Newsroom
In a recent PBS Wisconsin feature, Colleston Morgan, Jr., Executive Director of City Forward Collective, emphasizes that math and numeracy is just as vital as literacy for navigating everyday life. With state data showing that only 54% of Wisconsin students (and 22% in Milwaukee) are proficient in math, Morgan highlights…
Twenty-two of Wisconsin's 50 lowest-performing schools are concentrated on Milwaukee's North Side, according to a comprehensive new analysis released today by City Forward Collective (CFC). The report, Milwaukee's North Side Education Crisis: A Generation of Failure Demands Action, reveals that only 18% of North Side students — among the nearly 55,000…
Colleston Morgan Jr., executive director of City Forward Collective, discusses challenges to Wisconsin's school funding formula. As head of an advocacy group focused on addressing inequity in education, Morgan joined Spectrum News 1 to examine how the current funding allocation impacts property taxes and educational equity across the state. View…
Milwaukee Public Schools faces a $46 million budget gap stemming from years of overspending, rising transportation costs, and declining student enrollment. While Superintendent Brenda Cassellius has announced immediate measures to address the deficit—including hiring freezes and staffing cuts—education advocacy organization City Forward Collective warns that short-term solutions won't fix deeper…
Superintendent Brenda Cassellius outlined a multi-pronged approach to address Milwaukee Public Schools' $46 million budget deficit, emphasizing that "Our budget is a reflection of our values, and for us that begins with students and classrooms." Her plan includes reviewing unspent funds, freezing non-essential positions, increasing federal nutrition program participation, studying…
One year after discovering lead hazards across Milwaukee Public Schools, the district has finished remediation work at approximately 100 schools. Colleston Morgan, Executive Director of City Forward Collective, expressed that while he's relieved the work is complete, "this got to a point where it was a crisis. This was one…
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. Read more
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…
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…
City Forward Collective is proud to announce that our Executive Director, Colleston Morgan Jr., has been recognized by Madison365 as one of Wisconsin’s 32 Most Influential Black Leaders for 2025. This honor highlights Colleston’s leadership in education advocacy, policy analysis, and community engagement across Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. Under his guidance, City Forward Collective has become a trusted…
Local nonprofit organizations, such as Neu‑Life Community Development, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM), and PEARLS for Teen Girls, are playing a vital role in Milwaukee by providing safe spaces, mentorship, after-school and summer programs, and long-term support for children and teens — especially those growing up amid…
City Forward Collective has issued a forceful statement condemning the Milwaukee Board of School Directors’ decision to grant only a one-year renewal to Carmen Schools of Science & Technology–Northwest, despite the school earning a three-year recommendation under MPS’ own review process. In the statement, Executive Director Colleston Morgan Jr. delivered…
Carmen School of Science and Technology Northwest Campus has been in partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools for about 11-years as an independent charter school. But that partnership is at risk of coming to an abrupt end as MPS is debating whether or not to move forward with giving Carmen Northwest…
A poll commissioned by City Forward Collective found that 59% of Milwaukee voters support consolidating Milwaukee Public Schools to stabilize the district's finances—with voters preferring consolidation over a new funding referendum by a 26-point margin. The survey also revealed that 61% of voters support creating a state-level oversight body to…
A newly released academic audit of Milwaukee Public Schools paints a troubling picture of a district marked by fragmented leadership and inconsistent implementation. The review, which was ordered by Governor Evers and conducted by national experts, found major disparities in instruction, planning, and accountability. Responding to the findings, CFC Executive…
Milwaukee Public Schools is under renewed scrutiny after missing crucial financial reporting deadlines, potentially jeopardizing tens of millions of dollars in state aid. The Department of Public Instruction confirmed the district’s failure to meet submission requirements, prompting concerns about ongoing instability in MPS operations. City Forward Collective Executive Director Colleston…
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…
At a recent public hearing held at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, education funding emerged as a central concern among southeastern Wisconsin residents. The Joint Finance Committee's session saw numerous attendees advocating for increased investments in K-12 education, special education, and related areas. “There’s still more work to…
At a recent public hearing for the 2025-27 biennial state budget, Wisconsin parents, notably mothers, were the most prominent group advocating for enhanced funding in public education and healthcare. The Joint Committee on Finance received numerous proposals emphasizing the need for increased support in education, disability accommodations, and Medicaid services.…
City Forward Collective responds to the results of the 2025 Wisconsin State Superintendent election, affirming its continued commitment to high standards, honest data, and quality schools for all students. Read the full statement to learn what’s next for education in Milwaukee and beyond.
A new EdSurge piece explores the real complexity behind school choice for families—especially those navigating limited time, resources, or information. It highlights why transparency and parent empowerment are more critical than ever.
Governor Evers has vetoed Assembly Bill 1—legislation that would have restored rigorous, NAEP-aligned academic standards across Wisconsin. City Forward Collective responds, calling this a missed opportunity to prioritize students and restore transparency.
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.…
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…
Tune in to hear EIG Director of Community Relations, Jill Economou, speak with Colleston Morgan of City Forward Collective and Al Keith of Milwaukee College Prep about working to eliminate educational inequity and helping kids build character and become college bound. Listen here
CFC Action Fund proudly announces its endorsement of Brittany Kinser for Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction. With over two decades of experience in education as a teacher and administrator across both district and public charter schools, and a proven track record of driving meaningful change as an advocate for students and…
At age 60, William Johnson has watched his north central Milwaukee neighborhood change through the decades, from the consequences of lost manufacturing jobs to a rising number of vacant, boarded-up houses. Milwaukee Public Schools recently released a list of 13 schools that could potentially close or merge, all of which are…
Other education advocates called for the state to increase funding for charter and private choice schools. Those schools get a smaller share of per pupil funding than public schools, but public education advocates note choice schools are not subject to each of the same reporting requirements. "Nearly half of our…
When you spend every day working to help Milwaukee students achieve success, you are bound to learn a lesson or two yourself along the way. When it comes to parent choice, we have learned the following: First, any discussion of parent choice is bound to stir up energy, opinions and…
The state Department of Public Instruction in October is expected to release scores from last school year on the Forward Exam, a statewide standardized test gauging whether Wisconsin schoolchildren are meeting benchmarks in literacy and math. But a recent overhaul of the exam by the department could complicate routine efforts by state…
When you spend every day working to help Milwaukee students achieve success, you are bound to learn a lesson or two yourself along the way. When it comes to parent choice, we have learned the following:
For over 30 years, school choice has been an integral part of Milwaukee’s educational landscape. As a city, we’ve embraced the idea that children thrive in different learning environments and that families should have the power to choose the best educational fit for their children. This philosophy has led to…
Milwaukee residents, especially Black and Hispanic families like mine, are once again demanding real change and more high-quality school choices. Why do so many Milwaukee leaders treat voices like ours with passive indifference – if not active disdain?
In less than six weeks, voters will decide whether Milwaukee Public Schools gets another $252 million through a property tax increase. In a one-on-one interview, CBS 58 asked MPS Superintendent Keith Posley how the district will use that money, and how those dollars will improve student performance in a district…
Milwaukee Public Schools is seeking a $252 million tax referendum on April 2 before finalizing plans to close or consolidate underutilized schools. District leaders argue closure savings wouldn't significantly address the budget crisis, but Colleston Morgan Jr, Executive Director of City Forward Collective, disagrees. Morgan says MPS is "putting the…
Milwaukee Public Schools seeks $252 million in additional funding through an April 2 referendum, arguing that closing underutilized schools wouldn't save enough to avoid the tax increase. With 36 schools operating below 70% capacity, district leaders say the geographic distribution of enrollment makes consolidation difficult and the savings insufficient to…
In less than six weeks, voters will decide whether Milwaukee Public Schools gets another $252 million through a property tax increase. In a one-on-one interview, CBS 58 asked MPS Superintendent Keith Posley how the district will use that money, and how those dollars will improve student performance in a district…
City Forward Collective (CFC) helped knit together a grassroots network of more than 1,000 parents and school leaders tired of the inequity... CFC educated parents about the funding gap, its impact on school budgets, the state budget process, and how to advocate for the bill...The campaign worked. In fact, it’s…
In early July, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed a new state budget into law. This bipartisan legislation enacted a historic funding increase for Wisconsin’s students. Through this deal, public charter schools will receive a per-pupil funding increase of more than $2,500, and private schools will receive an increase of $2,000-$4,000 per…
Wisconsin lawmakers have given schools in Milwaukee, and all across Wisconsin, a historic boost. As part of a bipartisan deal, state legislative leaders and Gov. Tony Evers announced a major investment in schools across the state. In addition to an overall increase for all public schools, it includes a gap-closing increase…