Milwaukee, WI
Nation's Report Card data; MPS shows troubling 'proficiency' levels
New national report gives MPS a failing grade
A 32-year-old Walworth County is dead after a fatal crash in Racine County on Wednesday afternoon. Jan. 29.
MILWAUKEE – Most students in Milwaukee are not proficient in math or reading, based on a new national report released Wednesday, Jan. 29.
The new study says Milwaukee Public School’s scores are some of the nation’s worst.
MPS’ failing report card
What we know:
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often called The Nation’s Report Card, came out Wednesday, Jan. 29. It’s given every two years, measuring the academic performance of students throughout the country.
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The numbers are troubling across the nation and in Milwaukee, the low levels of “proficiency” continue a trend that spans decades.
The NAEP shows troubling “proficiency” levels inside MPS.
In math, 12% of fourth graders and 8% of eighth graders are at or above that benchmark.
In reading, it’s 9% of fourth graders and 15% of eighth graders.
Education professor responds
What they’re saying:
Gabriel Velez is an associate professor of education at Marquette University. He said what stands out most is the fact MPS really isn’t improving in each of the four categories.
“I don’t think it’s surprising,” Velez said. “I think we can hold Milwaukee to a standard of saying like, we should be doing better, and we should be seeing improvement on this, and we can, because look at other places that are.”
But why isn’t MPS seeing that improvement?
Velez points to a number of factors that create instability in the district.
He referenced housing and food insecurities, but also everything that’s happened with the district alone, like paperwork problems and the ongoing search for a superintendent.
“I think that’s why that leadership, that vision into the future is going to be really critical to, sort of speak, get that house in order,” Velez said.
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Velez also points to attendance. The latest available data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction shows 50% of all MPS students are considered “chronically absentee,” meaning they attended less than 90% of their school days.
“I work with different programs and folks in MPS who are doing really great work,” he said. “But if students aren’t coming into school, you know, they can’t access them. They can’t provide them with this service or work with them in this way to help support their development.”
The Source: The National Assessment of Educational Progress’ data contributed to this report.