Critics slam Wisconsin’s student success ‘redefinition’

“The world our students are preparing to enter is changing quickly, and it is critical that we hear directly from the people who know our communities best. Academic rigor is always a top priority and will not change, but we also need to ensure students leave our schools prepared to think critically, adapt, communicate, solve problems and thrive," Superintendent Jill Underly said in a statement.

The plan includes a shift to competency-based education.

"We want to broaden Wisconsin’s vision for student success,” Underly added.

Critics, however, were quick to point out that Underly's new definition of success doesn't mention improving reading, writing or math scores.

"Wisconsin's state superintendent and the Disarmament of Public Instruction just launched a statewide initiative called a Portrait of a Graduate to redefine what student success looks like. It includes listening sessions, surveys, and steering committees," former superintendent candidate and head of Kids Win Wisconsin Brittany Kinser said.  "What it doesn't include: a serious plan to address reading and math proficiency gaps that are already failing Wisconsin kids."

National report cards show two-thirds of Wisconsin kids cannot read or write at grade level. Reading and writing scores get worse when you look at some individual school districts and schools. And Wisconsin continues to have the worst-in-the-nation racial learning gap.

Report cards show that 90% of black fourth-graders in Madison schools cannot read, write, or do math at grade level. It is 95% of black fourth-graders in Milwaukee schools.

"We are all for big-picture vision," Kinzer added. "But when the state's own data shows large gaps in proficiency, ‘defining success’ without fixing the fundamentals isn't a strategy. It's a way to dodge accountability. Wisconsin kids don't need a new portrait of success. They need to be able to read well so they can attend college, pursue a career, or master a trade – and build a bright future."