Wisconsin DPI: Less than half of tested students proficient or advanced

MADISON — New results from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction show less than half of public and private school students taking the new statewide test are side are proficient or advanced in English language arts, math and science.

Nearly 383,000 public and school choice students took the new Forward Exam this spring. It tested English language arts and mathematics for grades three through eight; science for grades four and eight; and social studies for grades four, eight, and 10.

Results showed that 41.7 percent of public and private choice students scored in the proficient or advanced in English language arts. In mathematics, 41.3 percent of students were proficient or advanced and in science, 49.1 percent of students were proficient or advanced.

The Forward Exam replaced the Badger Exam which was riddled with operational problems and widely criticized by parents, school administrators and lawmakers.