Dismissed: Educator Sexual Misconduct and Grooming in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, no one knows how often educators are investigated for grooming or sexual misconduct toward students. Yet, best estimates from the U.S. Department of Education show one in 10 students experiences sexual misconduct from educators during their K-12 schooling.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction lacks a comprehensive investigation tracking system and routinely allows educators to surrender their teaching licenses to avoid in-depth probes. School districts opt for quiet resignations and have lax record keeping of their own misconduct inquiries. All the while, the public is kept in the dark.

In Dismissed, the Cap Times investigates how often educator sexual misconduct and grooming happens in Wisconsin schools and what is being done to protect students.