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Wisconsin Unveils New School Report Cards as Most Districts Meet Expectations

The poverty-weighted, growth-focused framework sets a fresh baseline for comparisons under standards adopted this summer.

Overview

  • DPI reported 355 of 378 public districts (94%) earned three to five stars on the new 1–5 scale.
  • Among individual schools, 85% of public campuses met or exceeded expectations, and 85% of scored private choice report cards did so, with more than half of choice schools not ranked.
  • The system evaluates achievement, growth, target group outcomes, and on-track to graduate, with weights adjusted by the share of economically disadvantaged students.
  • No public school district received a one-star rating, while Milwaukee had a majority of schools at two stars or below and the district rated as meeting few expectations.
  • The rollout establishes a new baseline after a 26-member panel updated benchmarks, drawing criticism from reform groups who say the method obscures low proficiency.