Wisconsin’s recent decision to lower standardized test standards and soften terminology on student performance has sparked significant controversy. The changes, implemented by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), have been defended by State Superintendent Jill Underly as a move to present a “more accurate” picture of student achievement. However, critics argue that this shift could undermine efforts to address serious educational challenges, especially in cities like Milwaukee.
One of the most contentious aspects of the new policy is the lowering of cut scores on the Forward Exam, which students in grades 3-8 take. Previously, Wisconsin’s scoring scale aligned with strict National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) standards, according to CBS58. Now, with scores recalibrated to a more lenient scale, comparisons to previous years’ results will be difficult, if not impossible. Alan Borsuk, a senior fellow at Marquette University, expressed concern that these changes will hinder the ability to track long-term educational trends, especially in underperforming districts like Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS).
Equally concerning is the DPI’s decision to change the terminology used to describe student performance levels. Terms like “Basic” and “Below Basic” have been replaced with “Approaching” and “Developing,” respectively. Underly argues that these new terms promote a growth mindset and avoid labeling students in ways that could be perceived as demeaning. However, Borsuk and others worry that this shift waters down the seriousness of the challenges many students face, particularly in Milwaukee, where the achievement gap between Black and white students remains one of the largest in the nation.
Critics voiced their opposition to lowering test standards, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high expectations for all students at a time when many students, particularly those in struggling districts, need more support, not less. The debate continues, with both sides agreeing that the stakes are high for Wisconsin’s children.
