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Wisconsin 3Rd-Graders Earn Top Scores On Reading Test

Wisconsin's 3rd-graders earned their highest scores ever on the Wisconsin Reading Comprehension Test in 2005, according to the state's Department of Public Instruction. More than 87% of test-takers scored at the proficient or advanced level on the statewide exam, the highest percentage since the test's inception in 1998.

Wisconsin Reading Comprehension Test
(% proficient or advanced)
 
1998
2005
All students
64.8
87.4
African American
46
69
American Indian
47
82
Asian
37
81
Hispanic
45
70
White
71
92
Students with disabilities
18
55
Non-disabled
72
93
Limited English proficient
16
59
English proficient
68
89
Economically disadvantaged
48
77
Not economically disadvantaged
73
93

"This is an extraordinary achievement and is more evidence that Wisconsin has great schools," WEAC President Stan Johnson said. "It also provides proof that the SAGE class-size reduction program is working. Even though the state is facing tough fiscal times, we must continue to invest in our future by supporting programs like SAGE that work for our children."

The Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) program limits class sizes in the early grades to provide more individualized attention to students from low-income families. "In 1998, there was a 21-point difference in the percentage of students scoring proficient and advanced between the original 27 SAGE schools and non-SAGE schools," State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster said. "This year, the gap closed to eight percentage points."

Johnson said Governor Jim Doyle proposed to expand the SAGE program in his budget bill, but the Legislature slashed the additional funding. "Tomorrow's workforce depends on classrooms that work today. Programs like SAGE and 4-year-old kindergarten are vital to the growth of the state's economy."

Burmaster noted that the scores indicated a narrowing of the achievement gap between poor children and their peers but the gap between white students and students of color still exists. "While the achievement gap persists for students of color, the percentage of students scoring proficient and advanced has climbed over the past eight years for all racial and ethnic groups," she said. "We must stay the course in our efforts to close the achievement gap and support programs and activities that we know work."

Background on the 2005-07 state budget

Posted July 13, 2005