Oct. 18, 2016 – West Bend, WI – Students in the West Bend School District scored higher compared to other districts in Wisconsin according to data released today by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The data from DPI shows students in the West Bend School District continue to perform well in all academic areas on the Wisconsin Forward Exam, Dynamic Learning Maps assessment (DLM), and ACT. These state-administered assessments are administered annually for students in grades 3-8, grade 10, and grade 11 annually in the spring.
 “As a District, we are encouraged by these results,” said Erik Olson, Superintendent of Schools. “Data from these assessments is an important gauge of college and career readiness for our students and improvement in student performance proves that students in the WBSD are engaged in learning.”
“The District’s goals and strategic plan focus on Preparing All Students for College Readiness AND Career Success. Leadership teams at each site meet monthly to review student performance data and plan for continued success.”
The Wisconsin Forward Exam replaced the Badger Exam which students took in 2014-15, and before that WKCE. School-specific data is posted on each WBSD school website.
- Wisconsin Forward Exam
- During the 2015-16 school year, Wisconsin rolled out the Wisconsin Forward Exam. The Exam is designed to gauge how well students are doing in relation to the Wisconsin Academic Standards. These standards outline what students should know and be able to do in order to be college or career ready.
- This assessment is given to All students in grades 3-8 complete the ELA and math portion of the assessment.
- In addition, all students in grades 4 & 8 take the science and social studies portion of the assessment.
- Lastly, students in grade 10 take the social studies portion of the assessment.
- Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM)
- The DLM assessment measures the academic progress of students with significant disabilities in the subject areas of English Language Arts, math at grades 3-11, science at grades 4, and 8-11, and in social studies at grades 4, 8, and 10. Students with significant disabilities take this assessment in place of the Wisconsin Forward or ACT.
- This assessment is based on the Wisconsin Essential Elements and aligns with the Wisconsin Academic Standards.
- ACT
- ACTÂ for students in grade 11
- The ACT measures what students have learned in the areas of English, reading, math, science, and writing.
- The ACT helps students understand what they need to learn next so they can build rigorous high school course plans and identify careers areas that align with their interests.
- The State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction releases ACT scores along with students scoring within proficiency bands (Advanced, Proficient, Basic, & Below Basic) in the areas of ELA, math, and science.
- ACTÂ for students in grade 11
Students in grades four, eight, and 10 also took assessments in science and social studies. Those scores were reported on proficiency levels that have been used since 2002.
Lastly, students in grade 11 take the ACT assessment. Similar to the ACT Aspire, the ACT assessment measures proficiency in the areas of English, reading, math, science and writing. Each district and school will receive an ACT report outlining results regarding college readiness and the overall ACT score. Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction provides districts with results in the areas of English Language Arts, math, and science and reports these results publically. The tables below illustrates the West Bend School District’s results on the 2015-16 ACT.