Under a provision of the law, which took effect in July, teachers may not “provide to a student his or her preferred personal title or pronouns if such preferred personal title or pronouns do not correspond to his or her sex.” The law defines sex as based on someone’s reproductive organs at birth.

Peer support, school staff and psychology researchers are trying to keep up with the growing rate of mental health issues among K-12 students in Wisconsin while lawmakers debate boosts to funding.

Enrollment patterns vary between public and private schools at a time when lawmakers are expanding school choice vouchers and advocating for alternative opportunities for education.

"So far the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive," said Brandi Waters, senior director of AP African American Studies at the College Board. Waters, a New Jersey native who holds degrees from Yale, Harvard, Johns Hopkins and the University of Pennsylvania, said many students have called the course "a transformative experience."