MILWAUKEE – The newly released National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores highlight a crisis in student achievement that cannot be ignored. The data reveal stagnant statewide outcomes and a severe crisis for Milwaukee’s students, reinforcing the urgent need for Wisconsin to restore high academic standards, improve transparency and accountability, and ensure that all students—regardless of background—have access to the resources they need to succeed. 

STATEMENT FROM CITY FORWARD COLLECTIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COLLESTON MORGAN, JR.

“Today’s NAEP scores underscore a stark and unacceptable reality: Wisconsin’s students – especially students in Milwaukee –  are falling further behind. Nine out of every 10 classrooms in Milwaukee are filled with students performing below expected national standards. Black students in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) continue to perform nationally at the lowest level of their peers.

Milwaukee and Wisconsin cannot thrive until all of our city’s students receive an excellent education at a high-quality school of their choice. Today’s results reinforce the work ahead of all of us to make this a reality.”

EXPOSING WISCONSIN STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION JILL UNDERLY & DPI’S HONESTY GAP

Today’s state-level results reinforce the negative impact of decisions by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), at the direction of State Superintendent Jill Underly, to lower standards for student performance. City Forward Collective has joined leaders across the ideological spectrum in expressing concerns about the secretive, closed-door process used to make these changes and the impacts of lower standards on students’ readiness for careers, college, and life.

Colleston Morgan continued, “This is not just about test scores; this is about ensuring every child is given the education they deserve. We need leaders who dare to stand up for high standards, demand accountability, and implement real solutions to close opportunity gaps—not a system that hides failure by moving the goalposts.

Instead of addressing the root causes of today’s troubling results, DPI leaders continue to attempt to defend their indefensible decisions to lower academic expectations in an attempt to cover up the problem. The latest NAEP results prove what City Forward Collective has been warning about for months—this state’s deliberate decision to water down academic standards has devastating consequences.”

MPS PERFORMANCE

Today’s NAEP release also includes results for 25 large urban school districts, including MPS. These results show that MPS continues to rank near the bottom comparable urban districts in the country – including last in performance for Black students.  Fourth-grade reading scores are particularly devastating: Only 9% of MPS fourth graders met NAEP Proficiency this year.

“MPS’s 4th-grade reading results are dire, reflecting students who were in K-1 during pandemic school closures – a critical period that shapes lifelong educational outcomes and demands an urgent, citywide response,” said Colleston Morgan.

For media inquiries or to schedule an interview with Colleston Morgan, Jr., please email media@cityforwardcollective.org