FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, JULY 16, 2001
Madison third graders continued to show improvement on the state's 2001Wisconsin Reading Comprehension Test (WRCT), but most notable were the dramatic gains of African-American students over the last four years. African-American students improved from 31% attaining "proficiency" or "advanced proficiency" in 1998 to 52% this year.
Fewer African-American students scored in the lowest range - minimal - over the course of the four-year period, with 16% performing at the minimal level in 1998, falling to 9% this year.
"We're pleased with the continued progress of our third grade students," said Superintendent Art Rainwater. "I believe the success has occurred because of a concerted effort by our teachers and administrators, along with parents and many members of the community. Our partners at the United Way, the Schools of Hope project and the many community tutors and mentors, are instrumental to the improvement. Our work is far from done, but certainly this is encouraging news," he said.
Rainwater added that the district investment in elementary teacher staff development, coupled with smaller classes due to the state Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) program are keys to student improvement. "Without question, our local investment in staff development and the state's SAGE investment are making a difference," Rainwater said.
Glendale Elementary began as a SAGE school during the 1996-97 school year. On the 1998 WRCT, only 34% of Glendale's 3rd graders were proficient or advanced readers and 29% were not tested. This year the percentage in the proficient and advanced range skyrockets to 71%, with the percentage not tested nearly cut in half, down to 15%.
If the Legislature and Governor approve full-funding for SAGE in the 2001-03 biennial budget, 91% of the district's low-income K-3 students and 75% of all Madison K-3 students will be in classes of 15 or fewer students.
Since the 1997-98 school year when the state adjusted its performance goals on the WRCT, Madison students scoring at proficient or higher jumped from 59% to 73% in 2001.
The improvement is significant because over the last four years more Madison students are being tested (83% in 1998, 88% in 2001). Students are excluded from the test due to English proficiency limitations and disabling cognitive conditions. Madison has seen a steady student enrollment increase in both English proficiency and special education programs.
During the four-year period, gains have also been made by students performing at the advanced proficiency - or highest - level. In 1998, 21% of the Madison 3rd graders tested scored at the highest performance level, compared to 19% statewide. This year 30% of the district's 3rd graders were advanced proficient, compared to 28% statewide.
The WRTC requires students to read three passages and answer 65 reading comprehension questions. It was administered to students statewide in March.
| Percent of Students In Each Proficiency Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Group | N | Not Tested | Minimal | Basic | Proficient | Advanced | Proficient + Advanced |
| 1998 | Asian | 191 | 42% | 2% | 20% | 27% | 9% | 36% |
| Black | 365 | 26% | 16% | 28% | 25% | 6% | 31% | |
| Hispanic | 88 | 34% | 8% | 18% | 33% | 7% | 40% | |
| White | 1,265 | 9% | 4% | 15% | 44% | 28% | 72% | |
| District | 1,934 | 17% | 6% | 18% | 38% | 21% | 59% | |
| State | 63,765 | 9% | 5% | 21% | 46% | 19% | 65% | |
| 1999 | Asian | 198 | 40% | 2% | 17% | 27% | 14% | 41% |
| Black | 372 | 20% | 16% | 28% | 32% | 5% | 37% | |
| Hispanic | 90 | 37% | 2% | 10% | 37% | 14% | 51% | |
| White | 1,276 | 7% | 4% | 13% | 47% | 30% | 77% | |
| District | 1,949 | 14% | 6% | 16% | 41% | 23% | 64% | |
| State | 64,282 | 7% | 6% | 17% | 50% | 20% | 70% | |
| 2000 | Asian | 193 | 33% | 1% | 8% | 37% | 21% | 58% |
| Black | 352 | 18% | 13% | 26% | 35% | 8% | 43% | |
| Hispanic | 129 | 47% | 2% | 12% | 30% | 9% | 39% | |
| White | 1,144 | 5% | 2% | 10% | 45% | 38% | 83% | |
| District | 1,837 | 14% | 4% | 13% | 41% | 28% | 69% | |
| State | 63,575 | 7% | 4% | 14% | 47% | 27% | 74% | |
| 2001 | Asian | 181 | 31% | 2% | 9% | 36% | 22% | 58% |
| Black | 374 | 13% | 9% | 27% | 43% | 9% | 52% | |
| Hispanic | 137 | 40% | 2% | 11% | 34% | 13% | 47% | |
| White | 1,093 | 5% | 2% | 9% | 44% | 40% | 84% | |
| District | 1,794 | 12% | 2% | 13% | 43% | 30% | 73% | |
| State | 62,707 | 7% | 4% | 13% | 49% | 28% | 77% | |
Public Information Office
545 W. Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53703
608-266-6270
email: newsrelease@madison.k12.wi.us
Last Modified: 2001-07-31
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