The Oshkosh Area Board of Education meeting on December 18, 2024, focused on the district's academic performance as reflected in recent report cards. A significant discussion centered around the district's growth metrics, particularly in math and English language arts.

Board members expressed concern over the district's performance, noting that while the growth data indicated the district was in the 87.6 percentile—better than most districts in Wisconsin—there has been a troubling decline in math scores over recent years. Although there was a slight improvement in English language arts this past year, the overall trend raised questions about the accuracy of the growth calculations.

One board member highlighted the paradox of the data, questioning whether growth occurred before or after the reported thresholds. This led to concerns about the reliability of the statistical methods used to assess student performance. The discussion underscored the need for a deeper analysis of the data to understand the underlying issues affecting student achievement.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the board to further investigate the discrepancies in the report card data and to explore strategies for improving academic outcomes in the district. The board aims to ensure that all students receive the support they need to succeed academically.