Gauging Academic Progress

Contact: Dale J. Knapp or Todd A. Berry
608.241.9789 or wistax@wistax.org
August 16, 2007

State Math Scores Rise; Reading Scores Mixed
Results Vary Widely by District

MADISON—Wisconsin’s fourth graders improved in both reading and math in 2006-07 relative to their performance the year before as third graders. Results from the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam (WKCE) also show that eighth graders improved in math, but had statewide reading scores that were unchanged from 2005-06. A new report from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX) details statewide test results and highlights districts with the largest gains and largest declines on the fourth and eighth grade reading and math tests.

According to the new WISTAX report, "Gauging Academic Progress," 82% of fourth graders scored either proficient or advanced in reading, a gain of two percentage points over their results (80%) as third graders in 2005-06. In math, 78% of fourth graders scored at one of these levels, up from 72% the prior year. Eighth graders did not show similar gains. Reading scores (84%) were unchanged from their 2005-06 seventh-grade results, and math scores (75%) increased only one percentage point. The report also noted that gains were made in both reading and math among fifth (reading 84%, +2 points; math 75%, +2 points), sixth (85%, +2; 76%, +3), and seventh (84%, +1; 79%, +6) graders.

While statewide averages generally showed reading and math gains, WISTAX analyses by district show mixed results. Among 319 districts with results for fourth graders, 107 (33.5%) saw reading scores fall and 55 (17.2%) had declines in math. However, 174 showed gains in reading and 250 improved in math. Wheatland (91%, +17) had the largest gain in reading. Three districts gained 16 percentage points: Coleman (86%), Iowa Grant (88%), and Northwood (63%). In math, Saint Francis (73%, +25 points) had the largest increase. Gains of at least 20 points were seen in De Soto (88%, +22), Almond Bancroft (81%, +21), Necedah (77%, +21), Royall (74%, +21), Bonduel (79%, +20), and Rio Community (80%, +20).

WISTAX researchers also examined results from 342 districts with eighth graders. The study noted that reading scores dropped in 165 districts (48.2%), while gains were posted in only 140 (40.9%). Math results were better, with more districts improving (188) than declining (128). Among districts with eighth graders, the largest reading gain was in Frederic (89%, +18 points). Double-digit gains were also seen in Hillsboro (82%, +11), Fall River (91%, +10), Johnson Creek (92%, +10), Suring (92%, +10), and Whitehall (89%, +10). In math, Wabeno’s eighth graders gained 43 percentage points, rising to 74% proficient or advanced from 31% in the prior year. The next largest gains were in Whitehall (82%, +20) and Alma Center (83%, +19).

While the WISTAX report found wide variations in performance by district, it also noted that 46 districts improved in both math and reading in both fourth and eighth grades (see table). In five districts (Bangor, Elkhorn, Melrose-Mindoro, Necedah, and Rosholt), gains were at least four percentage points on all tests.

The new study also identified eight districts that experienced declines on both tests in both fourth and eighth grades. Black River Falls and Sheboygan Falls dropped at least two points on each test. Dodgeland, Kiel, Lake Geneva J1, Portage, Poynette, and Spencer also had consistent declines.

Results for all districts studied can be found on the WISTAX website (www.wistax.org/facts). Now celebrating its 75th year as the state’s premier policy research organization, WISTAX is nonprofit and nonpartisan.

The 2006-07 tests were the first that allowed comparisons of the same students in different years (e.g. 2006-07 fourth graders to their results in 2005-06 as third graders). Previous exams only allowed for comparisons of students in the same grade in different years (e.g. 2006-07 fourth graders to 2005-06 fourth graders).

A free copy of The Wisconsin Taxpayer titled "Gauging Academic Progress" can be obtained by writing WISTAX, 401 North Lawn Ave., Madison, WI 53704-5033; e-mailing wistax@wistax.org; visiting www.wistax.org; or calling 608.241.9789. o

Forty-Six Districts With Gains in Both Math and Reading for Both Fourth and Eighth Graders

2006-07 WKCE

Antigo	Denmark	Hortonville	Necedah	Rosholt
Bangor	Drummond	Hudson	New Holstein	Sauk Prairie
Beloit	East Troy	Kewaskum	Osceola	Two Rivers
Beloit Turner	Elkhorn	Kohler	Pardeeville	Verona
Bonduel	Elmbrook	Lac Du Flambeau	Parkview	Wautoma
Cedarburg	Fall River	Melrose-Mindoro	Phillips	West Allis
Chippewa Falls	Grafton	Menomonie	Prescott	West De Pere
Colfax	Grantsburg	Milwaukee	Pulaski	Whitewater
Columbus	Hayward	Mosinee	Rosendale-Brandon	Woodruff
Delevan-Darien

(Editors Note: An electronic version of this release is available at www.wistax.org.)

The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, founded in 1932, is the state’s oldest and most respected private
government-research organization. Through its publications, civic lectures, and school talks, WISTAX aims to improve Wisconsin government through citizen education. Nonprofit, nonpartisan, and independently funded, WISTAX is not affiliated with any group—national, state, or local—and receives no government support.