Assembly Bill 1 proposes significant changes to the educational assessment program and the school accountability report in Wisconsin. The bill mandates that the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) utilize the same cut scores, score ranges, and qualitative descriptions for school performance and improvement that were used in the 2019-20 school year. This applies to the accountability rating categories for school and school district report cards published starting from the school year in which the bill becomes law. Additionally, for assessments administered in the school year the bill takes effect, DPI is required to align the cut scores and performance categories for the Wisconsin Forward exam in English Language Arts and Mathematics with those set by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and to maintain the same cut scores and performance categories for the PreACT and ACT with Writing as used in the 2021-22 school year.

The bill also includes specific legal language changes, such as renumbering and amending existing statutes related to the accountability report. It introduces a new section that outlines the requirements for examinations administered to students in grades 3 to 11, ensuring that the performance categories are consistent with national standards and previous state assessments. The terminology for pupil performance categories will include "Below Basic," "Basic," "Proficient," and "Advanced," thereby standardizing the evaluation criteria across different assessments. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the consistency and reliability of educational assessments in Wisconsin.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 115.385(1)(c), 115.385