MMSD board reviews umbrella promotion policy to meet Act 20 deadline, schedules vote for June

Madison Metropolitan School District staff presented a consolidated promotion policy (35.37) during a May 22 special Board of Education workshop, saying the district must adopt a third‑to‑fourth grade promotion policy under Wisconsin’s Act 20 ("Wisconsin Reads") by July 1, 2025 and is using that deadline as an opportunity to combine several promotion-related policies into one umbrella policy.

District instructional lead Cindy (staff member) told the board, "the first policy that we are bringing forth to the Board of Education for review and eventual approval is our policy related to promotion," and described changes meant to streamline promotion criteria across transition grades, update alignment to state assessments and make language gender‑inclusive.

Board member Petra (staff member) said the redrafted language "is coming directly from DPI itself," noting the district used the Department of Public Instruction model policy where possible and that the umbrella policy will group on‑track‑to‑graduation, fourth‑to‑fifth and eighth‑to‑ninth grade promotion language in one document.

Why it matters: Act 20 requires districts to adopt third‑to‑fourth grade promotion criteria tied to literacy screening and supports. MMSD staff described how the district’s personalized reading plans (PRPs) and summer supports integrate with the new third‑to‑fourth grade requirements and said the policy focuses on promotion with supports rather than retention.

Key details and discussion

- Structure and scope: Cindy explained the policy was intentionally long because it consolidates previously separate policies (on‑track to graduation, fourth‑to‑fifth, eighth‑to‑ninth) into one Section 35.37 with three subsections and accompanying communication processes. "This policy will be, what I would call an umbrella policy," she said.

- State alignment: Staff described changes required by state statute and testing programs (the district references the Wisconsin Forward and DPI guidance) and said parts of the draft are verbatim from the DPI model policy.

- Third‑to‑fourth grade specifics: The draft uses the Act 20/Wisconsin Reads framework. Staff said students who score below a 25% proficiency threshold on literacy screeners would be offered a summer program with supports and then be promoted with continued supports and monitoring through a PRP.

- English learners and students with IEPs: Board member Muldrow asked how the policy accounts for students who are not native English speakers or who arrive from overseas. Cindy answered that "it is an English only policy, and they focus only on, instruction in English and assessment in English," but that the district will continue to value multilingualism and provide supports in bilingual contexts. Staff emphasized PRPs can be individualized and include acceleration or wraparound social‑emotional supports.

- Assessment opt‑outs and alternative evidence: Board member Martha asked how the district handles students who do not take state tests. Staff said for students excused from state exams the district will consider "academic performance," teacher recommendations and other evidence; they defined academic performance as course grades (semester grades at elementary/high school, quarter grades at middle school) and noted diagnostic assessments and classroom measures also inform decisions.

- Policy vs. procedure: Multiple board members asked why the draft includes procedural steps. Staff said DPI’s model policy includes procedural elements and the legal requirements create a gray area; staff intend to keep operational details (software buttons, specific schedules) in guidance documents while putting statutory requirements and required communications in policy.

Board direction and next steps

- This was a first read. Staff said the draft will be returned for a second read at the June 2 instruction work group and the board aims to approve the policy at the June 23 regular board meeting so the district can meet the July 1, 2025 statutory requirement.

- No formal vote occurred on the policy at this meeting.

Ending

Board members asked staff to continue clarifying how PRPs document interventions and how the district will communicate supports to families. Staff said they will bring a redlined policy and a clean version back to the board and are available for follow‑up questions ahead of the June readings.