This letter is to inform you of changes in the scoring of the WKCE that will affect the mathematics and reading scores of allWisconsin students who take the WKCE. This year Wisconsin raised the WKCE scores needed for students to reach the basic, proficient, and advanced performance levels in reading and math. As a result, WKCE results will show a significant decline in the number of students considered to be “proficient” or “advanced.”

This does not reflect a change in the abilities of students, teachers, or schools, but rather reflects the higher standards and aspirations Wisconsin has for its students and schools. The new, more rigorous college and career readiness scoring standards match those in other high performing states and will help prepare all Wisconsin students to be college and career ready. These new college and career readiness performance levels are based on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). NAEP, often called the “Nation's Report Card,” is the largest continuing assessment of what students nationwide know and can do in core subjects.

You will receive your child’s WKCE Individual Profile Report (IPR) in the coming weeks. As you review it, please keep in mind that the scoring change:

• only applies to WKCE reading and mathematics
• affected all students across the state taking WKCE math and reading tests
• does not apply to the other WKCE content areas, so proficiency is not measured using the new higher college and career readiness benchmarks in social studies, science, or language arts
• does not apply to the WAA-SwD, the alternate assessment taken by a very small fraction of students in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is on a rapid trajectory toward higher standards. This includes implementation of the Common Core State Standards, Wisconsin School Report Cards, upgraded curriculum standards for students with disabilities and English language learners, and improved, next-generation assessments.
Raising the WKCE benchmarks is part of a strategic effort to ensure our children are ready for college and careers in today’s rapidly changing, global society and economy.

Here are some websites you may find helpful for more information on student assessments:

• “Every Child a Graduate: Agenda 2017,” from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers: http://statesupt.dpi.wi.gov/
• Wisconsin School Report Cards: http://reportcards.dpi.wi.gov/
• Wisconsin Information Network for Successful Schools: http://winss.dpi.wi.gov/
• National Assessment of Educational Progress: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/

Informational Sheet about Wisconsin’s higher benchmarks: http://statesupt.dpi.wi.gov/files/statesupt/pdf/fs-high_exp.pdf

Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or me with any questions you may have. Be assured that the staff at Reedsville Public Schools is committed to improving the achievement of all of our students and of our schools.

Sincerely,

Mr. Dennis Raabe, Superintendent
Reedsville Public Schools
PO Box 340
Reedsville, WI  54230-0340
(920) 754-4341