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Bay Lane leaders report improved DPI ratings, target plans for vulnerable students
Summary
Bay Lane Elementary told the Muskego-Norway School District board on Feb. 10 that its Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction report card reversed a recent downward trend and the school is pursuing individualized learning plans and expanded professional learning communities to support its most vulnerable students.
Bay Lane Elementary School principal Sarah Stanley told the Muskego-Norway School District board on Feb. 10 that the school reversed a downward trend on its Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction report card and is focusing on individualized learning plans for students the district identifies as the "target group."
The change matters because Bay Lane serves more than 900 students and the district said gains on DPI target-group measures are evidence the school's interventions are reaching students with the greatest needs. Stanley said the school set a whole-school goal for 2024–25 that all target-group students reach grade-level proficiency, measured in third and fourth grade by the Wisconsin Forward exam and by universal screeners in younger grades.
Stanley said Bay Lane has logged consistent high ratings since the school opened seven years ago, then outlined targeted steps the staff is taking: more frequent professional learning community meetings (PLCs) to plan responsive instruction, expanded use of teaching-and-learning coaches, and behavior-focused PLCs that review incident data and set grade-level goals. "We learn with a mindset of growth, and we empower positive impact," Stanley said. She described weekly family communications, recognition programs and a focus on attendance and engagement as parts of the strategy.
School leaders presented assessment graphs showing gains for a subset described as the fourth-grade target group. Stanley said the slide represents 42 of 146 fourth-graders and shows growth compared with last year, while also noting a continued need to move students from below-proficient levels into meeting or exceeding standards. Staff described use of individualized learning plans aligned with Wisconsin Act 20 (reading law) and evidence-based interventions during intervention blocks.
The presentation included examples of school culture work — weekly announcements, awards, and student leadership groups — and a summary of staff-survey results showing high employee belief in the meaningfulness of their work. The board asked clarifying questions about the school's years of operation and progress; presenters confirmed the school opened seven years ago and described midyear data review practices that examine each student performing below proficiency.
Student representation at the meeting also reported extracurricular activity updates, including athletics and the high school musical schedule. District leadership said recognitions will be expanded at the March board meeting and thanked Bay Lane staff for hosting the board.
Less critical details: Bay Lane leaders said PLC frequency will increase to twice weekly, the school uses the Wisconsin Forward exam for third and fourth grades and universal screeners for younger grades, and staff continue to align communications across grade levels based on family feedback.
