MADISON, WI — A new statewide poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies reveals that 82% of Wisconsin voters agree the state should restore higher academic standards and provide honest school report cards, following recent decisions by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) that have made it harder for families to know how students are really performing.
The results show broad, bipartisan support for higher standards and transparency:
- 93% of Republicans, 80% of Independents, and 73% of Democrats agree the state should restore higher expectations.
- Support spans the state with 89% in Wausau, 87% in Green Bay, and 75% in La Crosse backing stronger accountability.
“Our kid’s futures are worth more than a political talking point. Families, educators, and community leaders across Wisconsin are demanding honesty and excellence in our schools.” said Brittany Kinser, founder and CEO of Kids Win Wisconsin. “When we lower expectations and hide the truth about student performance, we rob them of opportunity.”
Recent DPI policy changes have effectively lowered the bar for student proficiency, giving a misleading impression of progress.
“Wisconsin should be the state that refuses to give up on kids, and demands truth in our report cards, excellence in our classrooms, and courage from our leaders. States that once trailed us including Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana are now leading because they focused on facts, transparency, and science-backed reading instruction. Wisconsin can lead again, but only if we raise the bar.”
Kids Win Wisconsin has launched a statewide petition calling on DPI to restore and uphold high, evidence-based standards that accurately reflect student literacy.
“We call upon the Department of Public Instruction to restore high, transparent, and evidence-based standards that reflect true proficiency in literacy so every child in Wisconsin has the opportunity to thrive academically.”
Community members can sign the petition at:
kidswin.org/raise-the-bar
About Kids Win Wisconsin
Kids Win Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy movement working to end the reading crisis in our state. We put children first, build powerful coalitions, partner with families, and demand bold policy change so every child learns to read and has the future they deserve.
