An Act to renumber and amend 115.385 (1) (b); to amend 115.385 (1) (c); to create 115.385 (1) (b) 2m. and 118.30 (1j) of the statutes; Relating to: changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE)
Summary
SB18 would change how Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction sets student assessment cut scores, score ranges, and performance categories for both statewide testing and school accountability report cards. For school and school district report cards, the bill requires DPI to use the same accountability index cut scores, score ranges, and qualitative descriptions that were used in the 2019-20 school year, beginning with the first report card issued after the bill takes effect and continuing thereafter.
The bill also changes the scoring framework for the Wisconsin Forward Exam in grades 3-8 and for the PreACT and ACT with Writing in grades 9-11. For English language arts and mathematics in grades 3-8, DPI would have to align performance categories with the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for the same subject and grade. For high school assessments in English, reading, and mathematics, DPI would have to use the same cut scores and score ranges used in the 2021-22 school year, and it would have to keep the performance labels “Below Basic,” “Basic,” “Proficient,” and “Advanced.”
Impact
SB18 would amend Wisconsin statutes governing school accountability reports and statewide assessments, specifically sections 115.385 and 118.30. It would constrain DPI’s discretion by locking in prior-year or prior-benchmark scoring frameworks for report cards and tests, affecting how student performance is measured, reported, and compared over time for schools, districts, and pupils in grades 3 through 11.
Sentiment
The available record shows the bill was introduced with substantial Republican sponsorship and no recorded committee transcript or vote history in the provided materials. The bill’s structure suggests support from lawmakers seeking more stable or familiar accountability metrics, but the absence of debate records means there is no documented public discussion here showing support or opposition arguments. The bill ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the bill’s restriction on DPI’s ability to update assessment cut scores and accountability categories. Supporters would likely view the bill as restoring consistency and comparability in school report cards and test results, while critics may argue that freezing standards to 2019-20 or 2021-22 benchmarks could reduce the state’s flexibility to adjust to new assessments, changing student populations, or revised measurement practices. Another likely issue is the use of NAEP-aligned cut scores for grades 3-8, which may be seen as improving rigor by some and as imposing an external standard by others.
Crossfiled
An Act to renumber and amend 115.385 (1) (b); to amend 115.385 (1) (c); to create 115.385 (1) (b) 2m. and 118.30 (1j) of the statutes; Relating to: changes to the educational assessment program and the school and school district accountability report. (FE)