Sun Prairie reports higher test scores but persistent gaps for Black, multilingual and special‑education students

Dr. Sarah Chyclarity, Director of Secondary for Teaching, Learning and Equity for the Sun Prairie Area School District, told the board Jan. 27 that secondary assessment scores rose in 2023–24 while gaps remain for Black students, students with disabilities and multilingual learners.

Chyclarity said all secondary schools with state report‑card ratings increased their accountability score in 2023–24 and that Sun Prairie East and Sun Prairie West high schools are rated “exceeding expectations.” She also noted one secondary school, Prairie View Middle School, has been identified for Targeted Supports and Interventions because one or more student groups performed in the bottom 10% statewide.

The presentation summarized district assessment results, local scorecards, equity‑focused problems of practice, budgets (data from fiscal 2021), interventions and a multi‑year implementation plan for restorative practices. Chyclarity said the district will return with two more secondary reports on April 28 and July 28.

District assessment and outcome highlights

- Middle school universal screening (AIMSwebPlus, fall): 72.5% of secondary students met or exceeded benchmark in reading; eighth grade specifically was 72.2% at or above benchmark. Over six assessment windows spanning 2022–24, middle‑school students rose from 50.9% to 60.3% meeting or exceeding benchmarks.

- Middle school math (FastBridge/AIMSwebPlus): overall middle‑school meeting/exceeding benchmark rose from 55.4% to 61.2% across the same six windows; eighth grade showed nearly an 11 percentage‑point gain in the most recent cycle.

- High school assessments (ACT suite): the district reported…