New DPI Report Masks Falling Student Performance

This week, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released report cards for the 2024-25 school year. Once again, the agency has quietly changed the standards that determine how schools are rated—making it easier to appear successful without actually improving student performance.

WILL's analysis of DPI's latest report shows that schools with all low-income students are predicted to have 37.9% lower ELA proficiency than schools with no low-income students. Similar achievement gaps are found in African American (28.2%) and English Language Learner (25.6%) students. Despite stagnant achievement, fewer schools are being categorized as underperforming, while some, with proficiency rates as low as 12.7%, are receiving "Exceeds Expectations" ratings.

The DPI's report cards confirm concerning achievement gaps by income, race, and language status, a reality hidden by DPI's quiet statistical changes. On the other hand, private school choice programs, notably in Milwaukee, had proficiency scores 11.2% higher in ELA and 10.4% higher statewide. To address the continued failure of the state's education system, full transparency is critical to helping every Wisconsin student reach their full potential.

Proposed Legislation to Create Statewide Tribal Betting Monopoly is Unconstitutional

WILL released a memorandum analyzing two newly proposed mobile sports betting bills, AB 601 and SB 592, companion bills that attempt to decriminalize statewide mobile sports betting for tribal operations.

WILL's memo explains why this proposal violates the Wisconsin Constitution, federal law, and the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

If passed, the law would likely be struck down and trigger intense judicial scrutiny that could jeopardize the state's entire existing gambling system.

WILL Testifies to Restore Classroom Order & Close Widening Math Gaps

Last week, WILL Research Director Will Flanders testified at the State Capitol on two education related bills.

The first, AB 614, aims to restore order and support in classrooms. With teachers citing personal safety as a top reason for staff departures, the bill clarifies teachers' authority to maintain classroom discipline and remove disruptive students to ensure a productive learning environment at schools. Read WILL's full testimony on AB 614 HERE.

WILL also testified in favor of AB 615, the Math Excellence Bill, which urges Wisconsin to apply the same evidence-based rigor to math that Act 20 brought to reading. With only 41.1% of Wisconsin students proficient and one of the nation's worst racial math gaps, the system needs change. AB 615 will require regular tracking and quality tutoring to help Wisconsin achieve the same math gains other states have reached. Read WILL's full testimony on the AB 615 HERE.

WILL Spreads the Word on Parental Rights

WILL Deputy Counsel Dan Lennington presented at the Defending Education conference in Chicago to discuss a vital parent right: the ability to opt-out of extreme LGBTQ curriculum. He highlighted how the U.S. Supreme Court's Mahmoud v. Taylor decision strengthens parental authority over their children's education.

Download and use WILL's Parental Opt-Out form HERE.

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