The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction last week released School Report Cards for every public school in the state. This is the second year all public schools have received the School Report Card and the first year for each district to receive the new District Report Card.
The information within the School Report Card is based on data primarily from the previous school year. The report cards are meant to help schools identify areas that can be improved to help all children learn and graduate ready for college and/or career.
The report cards are just one part of a statewide accountability system for all schools. The five accountability rankings are: Significantly exceeds expectations, exceeds expectations, meets expectations, meets few expectations and fails to meet expectations.
The Merrill Area Public Schools District Report Card has a solid score of meeting expectations. Each school in the district also met expectations, with Merrill High School exceeding expectations.
“The Merrill Area Public School district is committed to using this information, along with other data points, to continue to improve learning for all students,” said Michele Jahnke, MAPS Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
Along the report card’s five accountability ratings, nine of the state’s 424 public school districts significantly exceed expectations, 134 exceed expectations, and 269 meet expectations. One school district, the Norris School District, was not rated. Milwaukee Public Schools failed to meet expectations. Ten districts met few expectations.
“These preliminary district and school report cards provide valuable information about education in Wisconsin,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers. “They offer a starting point for schools and districts to plan improvements. Additionally, report cards show how Wisconsin can continue to refine its accountability system to truly serve the education community, parents, policymakers, and the public.”
Overall, 1,910 schools received ratings, and 88.1 percent of those schools meet, exceed, or significantly exceed expectations, up from 85.8 percent in the 2011-12 report cards. Fifty-eight schools failed to meet expectations and 169 met few expectations.