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New Berlin board adopts resolution urging DPI to fix school report cards
Summary
The New Berlin School District Board unanimously passed a resolution asking the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to revise school report cards, citing changes that make year-to-year comparisons unreliable and asking DPI to convene a representative committee to propose durable fixes.
The New Berlin School District Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved a resolution calling on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to amend how it prepares school report cards, saying recent changes make meaningful year-to-year comparisons impossible.
Board President (speaker 4) read the resolution prepared by Wisconsin School Leaders for Excellence, which argues DPI has repeatedly altered report-card elements and weightings, complicating longitudinal comparisons and undermining parents’ and communities’ ability to use the data. The resolution asks the state superintendent to make six changes, including valuing student growth and achievement equally; stopping the practice of basing proficiency on free and reduced-price lunch populations; recognizing and rewarding AP, IB, dual-credit and career and technical education enrollment; recognizing extracurricular involvement; including fiscal efficiency in scoring; and convening a representative committee of school leaders to develop durable changes.
Board member (speaker 5) described recent DPI changes to cut scores and said those changes were made in ways that made meaningful longitudinal analysis difficult, including citing non‑disclosure in prior processes. “This again is just another example of this happening,” the board member said, urging the district to move the resolution forward so state leaders and stakeholder organizations are aware of the district’s concerns.
After brief clarifying comments about how the resolution would be submitted, the board voted by raised hands and President (speaker 4) announced the motion passed unanimously. Board members said district staff will send the signed resolution to the Wisconsin School Leaders for Excellence, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, state legislators, and the Department of Public Instruction.
The resolution does not create a district policy change; it is a formal expression of the board’s position to be shared with state officials and associations.
The board indicated it will follow up through the channels named in the resolution and expects the superintendent or staff to handle distribution and any subsequent communications.
