Substantial and persistent racial gaps in achievement by Wisconsin public school students were reported in results from the Badger Exam, a new statewide standardized test show.
“These achievement gaps are most troubling,” State Superintendent Tony Evers said in a statement. “We are using data from our statewide assessments and other resources to identify schools that are successful with various low‑achieving groups so we can learn about their strategies, share those practices across the state, and ensure every student graduates college and career ready.”
Last year, the new Badger Exam replaced the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam. It tested English language arts and math for public school students in grades three through eight. Assessment results by race and ethnicity show achievement gaps that have been evident on other state and national exams. Gaps also are apparent for English language learners, students with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged students and their peers.
The online assessment was administered to more than 360,000 students in grades 3 through 8. The results show racial disparities between white students and students of color. In English language arts, 58.5 percent of white students scored proficient or advanced compared with only 20.8 percent of black students. Slightly less than 34 percent of Hispanic students scored proficient or advanced.
In math, 51.4 percent of white students scored proficient or advanced, compared to about 12.3 percent of black students and 24.2 percent of Hispanics.
Slightly over 35 percent of economically disadvantaged students scored proficient or advanced in English and 27 percent in math.
Wisconsin Student Assessment System (WSAS) results for public school students in grades three through eight showed that 51.2 percent were proficient or advanced in English language arts and 43.7 percent scored at the proficient or advanced levels in mathematics for the 2014-15 statewide exams.
“Overall results for the WSAS are a good starting point for Wisconsin’s more rigorous testing program,” said Evers. “Though the Badger Exam is a one-year event, our new Forward Exam will be administered this spring and will provide an opportunity to improve over time.”
