Delafield, Wis. — The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) issued a statement after the Wisconsin DPI again changed its 1–5 star school ratings at an August 12–14 Madison meeting, leaving parents unclear on local school performance.
THE NEWS:
DPI invited a group of educators to a 3-day meeting to set 2025 ratings benchmarks for schools and districts, which dramatically affect school board decisions and even property values. This came as a result of DPI and an educator committee lowering test score standards in 2024 and changing the star ratings formula. Yet, just like last year, no district will receive a 1-star rating — not even chronically underperforming districts.
THE QUOTE:
“Parents picking schools for their children deserve honesty, not spin. This new report card system rewards some low-performing schools and penalizes some of the best high-performing schools,’” said Quinton Klabon, IRG Senior Research Director. “This is about transparency and trust. Wisconsin students and parents deserve report cards that tell the truth about every school so parents are empowered to make informed decisions for their children.”
WHY IT MATTERS:
Parents are not getting the honest truth about how their schools are doing, even as Wisconsin sits at 34th nationally in early reading. Why? DPI and the incredibly flawed law governing school report cards cover up the truth. For example, for 2025:
- 0 districts will be rated 1 star. Chronic underperformers like Milwaukee or Monona Grove will be rated 2 stars or more.
- Almost all of Wisconsin’s low-poverty schools (under 30%) will earn 4 or 5 stars, said committee members. While some indeed are Wisconsin’s highest performers, parents in the suburbs need to know when their schools are not meeting the highest expectations.
- The committee did not significantly raise expectations for schools. The committee was poised to raise standards, putting more schools into 1, 2, and 3-star ratings. However, a flurry of last-minute amendments, approved by 2/3 majority, made the final benchmarks easier than their initial recommendations.
- The benchmarks sent to DPI are 49/100 for 2 stars, 60/100 for 3 stars, 71/100 for 4 stars, and 84/100 for 5 stars.
WHAT’S NEXT:
The committee met at a public session hosted in Madison by DPI. The recommendations go to Superintendent Jill Underly for final approval. School report cards likely will be released to the public in November.
