Virginia and Perry Henderson and Women in Focus Blazed a Trail for Young People in Madison

by Ayelen Flores and Jules DaCosta, Simpson Street Free Press

Women in Focus is a well-known and respected local organization. The annual “I Have a Dream” Ball is a beloved tradition in Madison. The event has funded college scholarships and various other education programs for 40 years. As in past years, Simpson Street students volunteered at this year's "I Have a Dream" Ball. We can report that everyone had a great time supporting the cause of education.

Today, the work of Women in Focus and the “I Have a Dream” Ball are well-known in Madison. But it wasn’t always that way. Through many twists and turns, a small but devoted group of local women turned an idea into a cause. The result was, and still is, tangible financial support for local college-bound students.

Dr. Virginia Henderson was a founding member of Women in Focus. She sometimes chaired and always volunteered for the “I Have a Dream” Ball and was active in the organization’s work. She was president of Women in Focus in 1984-85. Virginia worked for the Madison school district and continued to be active in our schools after she retired. The former Glendale Elementary School on the city’s southeast side is now named for Virginia Henderson. [Read More]

All Four Madison High Schools Make AP Honor Roll

by Ayelen Flores, age 16

Recently, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) was honored for being on the AP School Honor Roll. The district's four main public high schools—West, East, La Follette, and Memorial—are all on the honor roll.

To be on the AP honor roll, schools are evaluated on three criteria: the percentage of seniors who took at least one AP exam, students who took five or more AP exams during high school, including one in ninth and 10th grade, and students who scored a three or higher on an AP exam.

The Director of Assessment, Tim Peterson, called the distinction “a meaningful milestone for our district.” [Read More]

Mock Trial: How Students Simulate Justice

by Theodore Morrison, age 18

“Did you kill Astor Rufflebottom?” That was a question I heard numerous times while competing on West High School’s Team Two for Mock Trial. Mock Trial is a middle school to college club that involves students representing the state or the plaintiff, and others representing the defense, in a realistic simulation of a trial.

In this past year's case for Wisconsin high schools, the defendant, MJ Mossbridge, was accused of murdering his friend and rival, Astor Rufflebottom, to win a video game tournament and gain millions of dollars in brand deals.

During the season, students planned, prepared, and scrimmaged through the case to best prepare themselves; beyond that, they were able to better understand the process of trying someone in criminal court. Through all of these experiences, students learn valuable advocacy skills and gain valuable insights into our legal system. [Read More]

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Recognized with Prestigious Award

by Sofia Zapata, age 15

One Wisconsin school has become the first technical college in the state to be recognized with the Aspen Prize – meaning they are the best tech school in the country this year.

In April, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College was given the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. This prize began in 2010 and it is given out every two years.

The Aspen Institute looks at multiple things while choosing a college, such as: teaching, degree completion, transfers and bachelor’s degree attainment, success in the workforce, accessibility, and equity. Southwest Tech won mostly for its degree completion rates, especially for lower-income students, and the wage potential those graduates see once they leave. [Read More]

UW-Madison Physics Professor Inspires Generations of Students

by Kaleab Afeworki, age, 13

Dr. Dan McCammon is a real-life rocket scientist. He studies x-rays, launches sensors into space, and somehow still finds the time to open the doors of his lab to students with an interest in science.

That’s how a group of students from Simpson Street Free Press got an up-close look at Dr. McCammon’s work. Each year, during the UW-Madison’s annual Physics Fair, Simpson Street reporters visit his lab. This year, several of us sat down with him afterwards for an interview.

A physics professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. McCammon is known for his research on x-ray astronomy through his X-ray Astrophysics Group laboratory. He uses his expertise and research experience to help undergraduate students find their way in the field of physics and build their careers. [Read More]

Study Says Wisconsin’s School Report Card System Is Hard for the Public to Understand

by Daniel Li, age 17

Wisconsin’s school report card system is difficult for the public to understand. A recent study conducted by Arizona State University was highlighted in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and revealed that parents and the general public often struggle to access clear information about how students and schools are performing. Without this information, it's hard for parents to properly judge how well their child has performed in school.

Wisconsin earned a “D grade” in the study, which evaluated each state's K-12 report card system based on how easily performance data could be accessed and understood. Researchers also examined whether multiple years of data were available to track post-pandemic progress. The report criticized the complexity of Wisconsin’s system, raising concerns about its usability. The report criticized, "If the federal government is going to require states to provide report cards, and if states are going to spend money to create them, shouldn't they at least be usable?". The study also questioned the purpose of these report cards if parents and advocates cannot easily use them to answer basic questions about school effectiveness.

For Wisconsin, researchers were able to locate data on test scores in English, math, science, and high school graduation rates. However, they struggled to find information on chronic absenteeism, social studies test scores, and growth in English language arts and math. Overall, the state earned 11 out of 21 possible points in the evaluation. [Read More]

Madison’s Edgewood College Changes Name, Becomes Edgewood University

by Will DeFour, age 15

Edgewood College, home to about 2,500 students, will rename itself Edgewood University. This change marks nearly a century of Edgewood educating students. The change will become official on July 1st, 2025, before the start of the 2025 fall semester.

Edgewood president Andrew Manion said, “As we position the institution to flourish in our second century, the time is right to celebrate by making this change to honor our past and embrace our future.”

Though there is no official point at which a college becomes a university, there are several trends. Universities are often larger, some with over 10,000 students. These schools also offer both graduate and undergraduate degrees, often focusing on research-based work. The most prestigious of these schools are the Ivy League schools, which include Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. [Read More]

Louise Robbins Receives Award for Library Leadership

by Sandy Flores Ruiz, age 18

Louise Robbins, a long-time volunteer and friend of Simpson Street Free Press, was recently honored with the inaugural School of Computer, Data, and Information Science Distinguished Achievement Award through the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

This award recognizes those who demonstrate outstanding creativity and leadership in the disciplines of data and information sciences and computer science. Robbins received this award for her trailblazing contributions to the field of Library and Information Studies.

Robbins’ love of reading and books started early in her life. Her mother read poems and stories to her, and while living in Indonesia for a couple years during her childhood, reading and going to the library served as an escape. It also served as her school, where she largely taught herself. [Read More]

Students Get First Look at New FAFSA Form

by Sandy Flores Ruiz, age 18

The new Federal Student Aid form was released in November and is now open to the public. Many people are hopeful that this time, applying will be simpler and easier.

Wisconsin was among the states with low completion rates of last year's form, making universities like UW-Madison change their college admissions decision date. For many students, the FAFSA form is critical because it helps pay for college.

The FAFSA, Free Application for Student Aid, Form determines students’ federal financial aid grants, work-study, and loans. [Read More]

FAFSA Problems Cause Big Drop in Financial Aid Applications

by Camila Cruz, age 16

Delays and changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) earlier this year led to far fewer students applying for money meant to help pay for higher education. The problem is exacerbated for students of color and students from low-income households.

According to a report from the nonprofit Wisconsin Policy Forum, only a third of seniors attending public high schools in Wisconsin had applied for financial aid by the end of April. This is 14% fewer than last year.

“We see that in Wisconsin and nationwide, the populations where (FAFSA) numbers have dropped the most are those who are coming from high poverty schools, are first-generation students or students of color … In Wisconsin, we are down about 5,800 submissions, just from where we were a year ago,” said Carole Trone, who leads the Fair Opportunity Project, a nonprofit that helps students fill out their FAFSAs. [Read More]

Investigation Reveals Cars Are Data-Collection Machines

by Daniel Li, age 16

Recent investigations by Mozilla's Privacy Not Included project have uncovered a startling reality about modern vehicles. Far from being mere transportation devices, these cars have transformed into sophisticated data-collection machines, raising concerns about privacy and personal data security.

Mozilla's study meticulously evaluated 25 major car brands, concluding that none of the cars followed fundamental privacy and security norms in their internet-connected vehicles. All brands, including giants like BMW, Ford, Toyota, Tesla, and Subaru, failed Mozilla's assessment. These vehicles are not just tracking mundane details like location or driving speed; they are delving into intensely personal aspects such as the driver's race, facial expressions, weight, and health information.

Volkswagen vehicles, for example, monitor seatbelt usage and braking intensity. More invasive still, specific models reportedly gather data on the driver's sexual activity, race, and immigration status. Nissan, identified as the most egregious violator, collects and reserves the right to sell information ranging from sexual activity to health diagnoses and genetic data. Their privacy policy outlines a willingness to sell a wide array of personal data, from preferences to psychological tendencies. [Read More]

What Is an Alder?

by Daniel Li, age 16

The role of an alderman varies significantly depending on the governmental context. Historically, in Anglo-Saxon England, aldermen were high-ranking officials who often presided over shires. The term "alderman" originates from the Old English "ealdorman," meaning "elder man" or "older man."

In the United States, the term "alderman" is less common compared to titles like "councilman" or "council member," but at their core, they are equivalent. However, some municipalities still use the term. Chicago’s City Council, for instance, comprises 50 elected aldermen, each representing a district or ward. These aldermen serve under the city's mayor and are responsible for representing their constituents' interests at the city or county level. Similar to congressmen, aldermen are elected by district residents and strive to advocate for their community's needs. In some instances, a district may have multiple aldermen.

In Madison, the city is divided into 20 districts, each represented by one alderman. These districts are carefully drawn to ensure balanced representation across the city, considering population and community interests. Madison's alders serve on the Common Council, working alongside the mayor to address citywide issues and local concerns within their districts. [Read More]

The Science of Reading

by Leila Fletcher, age 18

Simpson Street Free Press is invested in and applies the science of reading with our students. We have for decades.

It is true, however, that debates about reading instruction continue. Teachers and reading specialists continually discuss—and dispute—what methods of reading instruction are truly most effective, and ultimately, what method should be used in our schools.

Today, in our country, reading levels continue to decrease; only two-thirds of fourth graders can read at grade level, which leads to high school seniors still unable to meet proficiency. The numbers in Wisconsin are among the worst in the country. And reading results in Madison are at crisis level. [Read More]

Madison Schools and Libraries Host 2nd-annual ‘Batalla de los Libros’ Reading Competition

by Camila Cruz, age 16

Madison students in grades 4-8 recently met for a Spanish-language reading competition. The idea was to test student skills and knowledge in areas like studying, reading comprehension, and teamwork.

This event was the Madison Metropolitan School District’s second annual Batalla de los Libros. Teams of students from various elementary and middle schools in Madison gathered at Central Branch Public Library in downtown Madison. The event was sponsored by MMSD Department of Library Services.

Teams of students from four middle schools and nine elementary schools took part in the event. Parents were invited to attend. [Read More]

“Hold Me Accountable” – Joe Gothard’s Interview with Simpson Street Free Press

by Cris Cruz and Leila Fletcher

Following an introductory press conference at Thoreau Elementary School, new Madison school superintendent, Joe Gothard, sat down for an exclusive interview with Simpson Street Free Press.

Although superintendent contracts usually begin in July, Dr. Gothard pushed for an earlier start date. He will now start on May 20. Gothard told us he wants extra time to work with interim superintendent Lisa Kvistad and the Madison School Board.

“I know the board, but when you work with a board, you get to know the board differently. I want to establish the way we're going to work together. And already this week it's proven to be a good decision,” Gothard said. [Read More]

Milwaukeean becomes first Black woman mathematician to have her papers in Library of Congress manuscript collection

by Hanna Eyobed, age 17

Gloria Ford Gilmer was an expert at ethnomathematics: how math manifests itself into the lives of cultures all around the world. She was a Black woman who dedicated her life to math: both the learning and teaching of it.

Gilmer received many of her accolades after her passing in August 2021. A historian of science and technology at the Library of Congress’ Manuscript Division, Josh Levy, reached out to Gilmer's family to uncover work that had been stored away. Gilmer left a legacy of success and transcending the odds; her files, documents, photographs, and VHS tapes were held in 64 bankers boxes and are now maintained in the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress, an honor that has not been held by a Black woman before her. Her work is now able to be examined and used for further research for other historians to explore for educational purposes.

Gilmer paved the way for Black intellectuals to follow. With her concentration in ethnomathematics, Gilmer taught all over Milwaukee, including the Milwaukee Area Technical College, the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, and various Milwaukee public schools. She was the first Black educator in many of the spaces she entered. There were many firsts in Gilmer's career, such as first Black person to earn a doctorate from Marquette University, first Black woman to sit on the Board of Governors for the Mathematical Association of America, and first Black woman to have her papers kept in the Library of Congress’ Manuscript Division. [Read More]

Complement vs. Compliment: What’s the Difference?

by Leilani McNeal

From grammar and punctuation to spelling and vocabulary, the complexities surrounding the English language can be difficult to digest. While several linguists and experts alike have unfolded its functions, there remain certain kinks and crinkles that are hard to iron out. Consider the words “compliment” and “complement” and their similar, yet contrasting meanings.

Misusing “compliment” and “complement” is a common mistake – however, a precise breakdown of these seemingly fraternal pairings will surely resolve your confusion.

Historically, these two words have the same etymology, hence why it’s no coincidence that both the spelling and meanings share similarities. Complement used to mean to compliment, but that definition has become obsolete. [Read More]

World War Two Battalion Awarded Congressional Gold Medal

by Mahalia Pearson, age 12

During World War II, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion employed people of African-American, Caribbean, and Mexican descent. The women who worked in the Postal Directory Department were grouped in the Women Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) and later were called the Women Army Corps (WAC) on July 1, 1943.

Unfortunately, in 1945, multiple warehouses in England had a large backlog of mail from soldiers that had not been distributed. Before it could be sent out, the mail would take six months to process first, and there were seven million soldiers and government workers waiting for their correspondence. This issue left soldiers upset since they were not receiving their mail. The 855 Black women from the WAC were granted the opportunity to go overseas, due to the support and pressure from different African American organizations. When arrived in Europe they started sending out mail. They worked seven days a week, circling through three eight-hour shifts per day. These women delivered more than 17 million letters in the last several months of the war.

These women were slandered by male soldiers based on their race and gender. Major Charity Adams, the female African-American officer with the highest rank, led her corps through a boycott against the facilities for being segregated. The reason for the discrimination they faced was because they were Black women in a primarily white place. As a solution, they decided to create their facilities such as hair salons, food halls, and refreshment bars. [Read More]

The Most Important and Most Common form of Writing: Expository Writing

by Yoanna Hoskins, age 17

Students are typically instructed to submit papers using one of the four major writing styles: expository, narrative, persuasive, or descriptive. Expository writing is one of the more commonly known forms of writing.

Expository writing focuses on explaining or exposing a topic; in other words, it is a piece of writing that is instructive. The goal of expository writing is to expound on an idea concisely and bias-free. This style is used throughout the world in a myriad of ways. It can be found in textbooks, directions, articles like this one, and other platforms of writing seen daily. When writing an expository piece, the author or publisher is not to state their own opinions on the topic. The piece should be neutral and inform a reader without attempting to persuade.

Analysis, juxtaposition, and cause & effect are not to be confused with persuasive writing. The first three all fit into expository writing because they logically explain topics without siding with one point of view of an argument. [Read More]

Student Proficiency in Math and Reading Falls below 40% in Wisconsin

by Sydney Steidl, age 16

During the 2020-21 school year, less than a third of Wisconsin youth were rated as proficient in both math and language arts on the Forward Exam. This was the first testing cycle since the exam was implemented in the 2015-2016 school year where student proficiency levels fell below 40 percent.

Much of this decline can be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, which moved students to an online learning environment. Adapting to remote learning proved difficult for many students. But these adjustments tended to have a greater impact on lower income students. Also, some students have less access to resources such as tutoring, reliable internet, and library-quality work environment. Even with $2.6 billion for federal Covid relief funding allocated to education, these disparities have proved persistent. [Read More]

Wanted: Professional Airline Pilots

by Max Moreno, age 11

In fall 2023, Madison College will reach new heights never seen before with the implementation of its first aeronautics program, training students to become pilots. In partnership with the Wisconsin Aviation Flight School, Madison College will give their students an opportunity at a flying career through a new professional aeronautics certificate. After two years of ground courses and flight training, students will be certified as flight instructors. By completing the 1,500-hour requirement they will be eligible to become an airline pilot.

According to a Cap Times article, the program comes at an important time.``Pilot staffing issues have become increasingly dire as the demand for air travel has returned to pre-pandemic levels,” said Chris Johnson. With his knowledge as a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and to promote the field of aeronautics, he has helped develop the program at Madison College. There is a lack of flight training programs in Wisconsin. Due to this, ticket pricing will increase and there will be a shortage in air travel, to which Johnson responded by creating the Madison College certificate to increase the number of instate pilots. [Read More]

Researchers Find Students who Work Part-Time Jobs are Less Likely to Graduate on Time

by Kadjata Bah, age 18

Almost half of all full-time students in college work in addition to their courses. Students who work while in college are 20% less likely to graduate than their peers, according to a recent study in AERA Open, a journal published by the American Education Research Association. With the growing financial demands of college tuition and debt, students must balance their education and their livelihood. However, there are ways to mitigate the pressure of work and school.

The study was conducted in Tennessee from 2001 to 2017 and followed around 600,000 working and nonworking students from otherwise similar backgrounds.

The findings showed that working students enrolled for about one less credit per semester than those who did not work, possibly due to time constraints. Many of the students who worked had similar academic success compared to students who didn’t, but lighter course loads often slowed their progress to graduation. [Read More]

New Reports Show Wider Achievement Gaps After Pandemic

by Sandy Flores-Ruiz, age 16

Reports showing achievement gaps widened after students moved from in-person instruction to online learning are no surprise. Virtual instruction caused learning loss in thousands of school districts across the nation.

The switch from in-person instruction to online learning produced negative results in student achievement. Several factors—including the disruption of school schedules, remote learning, social isolation, and health or family-related stress—have contributed to a reduction in math and reading test scores. Researchers report that low test scores are an unsettling prediction for the future. [Read More]

New UW Madison Transfer Options Available
for Wisconsin Nursing Students

by Melanie Bautista, age 16

Madison Area Technical College (MATC) and the University of Wisconsin - Madison have come to an agreement to let transfer students from MATC with earned associates in nursing to earn a bachelor's degree at UW-Madison.

The program BSN @Home was created in 1996 to address shortage of bachelor-degree nurses. According to David Wahlberg at the Wisconsin State Journal, “Wisconsin could face a shortage of about 11,000 nurses by the year 2030.” The agreement between both colleges will allow a smoother transition into online courses for the nursing program and for current nurses who want to pursue a higher position in the medical field. With COVID-19 occurring, nursing jobs have been in high demand; 10 percent of nursing positions have become unoccupied.

The highest role in healthcare, nursing assistant, has a vacancy of 17.2 percent, higher than previous years. Turina Bakken, a provost of MATC, says, “ This new nursing agreement adds to that legacy as we work together to meet the critical nursing demand in our communities and create meaningful career options for our collective students.” [read more]

Journalists Criticize Madison School District Handling of Open Records

by Yoanna Hoskins, age 17

The second largest school district in Wisconsin, Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), which houses 52 schools and over 27,000 students, has been a hot topic of discussion in recent months. And not for good reasons.

In recent news reports, many members of the Madison community have come forward with stories about how MMSD hasn’t properly responded to open records requests. Specifically, journalists and community members who have submitted open records requests have yet to receive access to those public documents. [Read More]

Rising College Debt and the “Parent Plus” School Loan Program

by Sandy Flores-Ruiz, age 15

Baylor University, based in central Texas, is one of the many institutions that use a federal loan program called Parent Plus. Among private schools with a minimum of $1 billion endowment, Baylor also had the lowest repayment rate for this particular type of loan.

The Parent Plus program offers federal loans to parents and allows them to help pay for their children’s tuition. Before the introduction of this program, undergraduate students were the largest demographic taking out college loans requiring payment. Now, in the Parent Plus era, parents and graduate students take out the most loans. [Read More]