Alex Klaus
Award-winning reporter covering Milwaukee schools, from early childhood through adult education, with a solutions lens.
I am an education solutions reporter at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service as a Report for America corps member. My work also appears in Wisconsin Watch, Chalkbeat Detroit, Outlier Media, Bridge Detroit, and Business Insider.
Recognition
2nd place, Outstanding Student Reporting
Society of Environmental Journalists, for coverage of Metro-Detroit concrete crushers.
Streetlight Detroit newsletter recognized
Cited by Poynter's Local Edition and Harvard's Nieman Lab.
My Reporting
Local childcare centers brace for state funding cuts. Study finds that many may close as a result.
Almost 1,400 Milwaukee childcare centers will lose state funding at the end of June, and experts worry subsidy payments won't keep up with rising tuition.
Early Childhood
MPS board approves plan to move deaf and hard-of-hearing students to Neeskara
Students at Milwaukee Sign Language School will relocate next year following a board vote.
K–12
'I know they're going to succeed': Kericka Green recognized as a top teacher
A Craig Montessori lower elementary teacher on what drives her students forward.
K–12
Milwaukee Sign Language School struggles with teacher vacancies
Staff shortages have created challenges supporting students and driven up burnout.
K–12About
I spent over three years covering Detroit city meetings for Detroit Documenters and helped pilot the program's Docu-Mentor initiative before moving to Milwaukee as an education reporter.
I graduated with my B.A. in Urban Studies and Public History from Wayne State University.
Data reporting
Social Video
@alexrklaus@alexrklaus A massive fire broke out at Lincoln Avenue School on Milwaukee's South Side this morning. Families I've talked to are devastated, and some are concerned about a lack of sprinklers in the building. Read more at MilwaukeeNNS.org #milwaukee #mke #414 #milwaukeepublicschools #localnews
@alexrklaus Murals now line the basement walls at Milwaukee Hamilton, a project students worked on as part of their art class this school year. The murals showcase the diversity of the South Side of Milwaukee while educating on local rivers like the Kinnickinnic and Honey Creek. #milwauke #414 #mps #LocalNews
@alexrklaus Last night, Milwaukee Public Schools approved a $1.59 billion budget for next school year, which includes some major staff cuts to equity and inclusion-related projects. The district will group programs like Black and Latino Male Achievement, Restorative Practices and Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) into a centralized equity department in an attempt to reach more schools. Concerns from teachers, educators and residents remain. Link to the full story in my bio. #milwaukee #414 #414milwaukee #milwaukeepublicschools #localnews
@alexrklaus June marks the end of childcare stabilization payments that nearly 1,400 childcare providers in the city of Milwaukee have received since the start of the pandemic. A survey of childcare providers found that about one in five providers may need to shut their doors once this funding ends. Advocates warn that tuition will rise, subsidy payments won't be able to keep up, and more businesses will struggle to maintain the staff they need to open seats for families. State Senator LaTonya Johnson and other politicians have tried to introduce legislation providing longer-term support for childcare providers, but such legislation has not made it to hearings. For more, head to MilwaukeeNNS.org #milwaukee #mke #414 #childcare #localnews