Nation’s Report Card: Only 13 Percent of Eighth Graders Are ‘Proficient’ in U.S. History
Chris Talgo, Townhall.com, May 4, 2023
The percentage of eighth grade students who tested “proficient” in U.S. history and civics continues to decline at an absolutely alarming rate. According to the most recent results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, only 13 percent of eighth grade students earned a “proficient” score in U.S. history.
Last year, Appleton schools had the third-highest score on state report cards in the Fox Valley. This year, it’s second from last.
Appleton Post-Crescent, November 16, 2022
Appleton saw by far the biggest drop among schools in the Fox Valley. Appleton’s overall score dropped by almost five points, taking it from “exceeds” to “meets” expectations. According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the Appleton Area School District’s 2021-22 score of 66.6 is the lowest since at least 2012, although it comes close to the 2016-17 score of 66.9.
Catholic Schools Outperformed Public Schools During Pandemic
School Choice Wisconsin, November 15, 2022
The “Nation’s Report Card” produced by the U.S. Department of Education finds Catholic schools outperformed public schools nationwide in math and reading in grades 4 and 8 in 2021-2022. The gap in performance between the Catholic and public schools in not new in the Report Cards; it was apparent all the way back to 1990. It’s gratifying to see the Catholic schools maintain their edge through the years, including through the pandemic.
The Kids aren’t Alright, and School Closures are the Reason
MacIver Institute, October 26, 2022
Dan O’Donnell takes on the abysmal test scores resulting from lengthy school closures in Wisconsin and across the country.
The Numbers are In: Choice is Growing in Wisconsin
School Choice Wisconsin, October 14, 2022
Good news! Choice is growing in Wisconsin! According to numbers released today by the state Department of Public Instruction, the state’s four private school parental choice programs reported a headcount of 52,189. This was an increase of 6.7 percent over 2021. 4K headcount in the private school parental choice programs increased by 8.5 percent, kindergarten increased by 5.1 percent and grades 1-12 were up by 6.8 percent. Independent charter schools reported a headcount of 11,150, an increase of 4.5 percent from September 2021.
Students in Wisconsin’s choice programs outperform traditional public school students on ACT
School Choice Wisconsin, September 30, 2022
The top choice news in the state at the moment: As in prior years, students in Wisconsin’s school choice programs have outperformed traditional public school students on the college-readiness ACT exam. See our press release here.
Fact Check And Analysis Of DPI Superintendent Underly’s State of Education Address
MacIver Institute, September 29, 2022
Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Jill Underly gave her second State of Education address last week in Madison. With academic achievement steadily declining the last few years and the disastrous push by the education establishment to virtual learning only making the decline worse, Underly’s speech should have focused solely on this crisis and what her plan is to fix it. Instead, Underly’s speech was an attack on anyone who suggests schools should refocus on teaching children the basics and without political indoctrination. The speech was jam-packed with virtue signaling to every radical group on the left.
Give Every Wisconsin Family the Power to Choose the Best Education
Badger Institute, September 27, 2022
This 15-page report from the Badger Institute presents the case for universal school choice in Wisconsin and how it can be achieved.
Influential Wisconsin Groups Launch Coalition for Education Freedom
Badger Institute, September 8, 2022
Wisconsin’s leading school choice advocacy groups agreed to work together to plan how school choice can become universal in Wisconsin.
Reading and Math Scores Plummeted During Pandemic, New Data Show
Wall Street Journal, September 1, 2022
The Education Department’s first look at test-score trends since the pandemic began reveals the worst drop in math and reading scores in decades for students in fourth grade, a crucial indicator for educational and economic trajectory. Scores released Thursday show unprecedented drops on the long-term trends tests that are part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the “Nation’s Report Card.” The tests are administered to U.S. students age 9.
