MADISON — Yesterday, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction released Wisconsin’s 2024-2025 school report cards, the first report cards since Wisconsin State Superintendent Jill Underly radically shifted standards. According to DPI, 94% of Wisconsin schools meet or exceed expectations. This data is misleading at best.
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, nearly two-thirds of Wisconsin students are below grade level for math, and 7 in 10 students are not reading at grade level. The report demonstrates that the majority of Wisconsin students are wholly unprepared for the workforce.
“DPI’s report card metrics are almost laughable, but the state of Wisconsin’s education system is not a joke,” said Rachel Ver Velde, Associate Vice President of Government Relations at WMC. “Nearly 70% of Wisconsin students aren’t reading at their grade level. That’s more than a crisis—it’s a catastrophe. We must reform our state’s education system to ensure that students develop the skills needed to successfully enter the workforce.”
WMC recently released a poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies for the Jobs First Coalition, which showed that Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly support restoring higher academic standards and requiring honest school report cards:
- 82% of voters want to restore higher academic standards and require honest school report cards. (61% strongly support)
“The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, led by Jill Underly, is failing our children,” said Ver Velde. Wisconsin voters are tired of Madison politicians and bureaucrats making excuses for low test scores. Enforcing rigorous academic standards is not only a popular policy with Wisconsin voters, it’s the way to ensure that our children are prepared for future success.”
