Shorewood's Average ACT Scores Took A Slight Dip Through Pandemic

SHOREWOOD, WI — The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction released new data Wednesday that shows how standardized testing scores in public schools across Wisconsin have changed through the pandemic.

Overall since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer students in Wisconsin have taken standardized tests. Students who did take the Forward, ACT or ACT Aspire during the 2020-21 school year generally scored lower than in previous years. A decrease in enrollment in public schools across the state is believed to be the main culprit of the score drops, the DPI said in a news release.

Out of the 580,000 students enrolled in Wisconsin who were slated to take a standardized test, only 84 percent were tested in English language arts and 85 percent were tested in mathematics — a stark decrease in testing rates from years prior.

The DPI said the decline in testing and scores is likely due to the pandemic. Parents may have played a different role in their children's education and learning situations have changed, the news release said.

"During a school year of unprecedented challenges, and in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, our educators and students persevered," State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said.

"Participation and proficiency rates look different than other years, and that is not surprising considering the extraordinary circumstances and challenges faced everywhere in our state, including schools and districts. Make no mistake, students learned many lessons this year – in resilience, time management, technology, and problem solving – that may not be reflected in a standardized assessment, and we continue to have work to do to ensure our students are growing, learning, and feel safe and supported at school," Underly said.

Proficiency rates took a dip across the state in the Forward Exam, which tests 3rd through 8th grade. The dip in scores follows a national trend in standardized testing.

An analysis of the Forward exam data conducted by USA Today Network-Wisconsin found how severe the Forward proficiency drops were from 2019 to now.

When it comes to statewide proficiency in the Forward exam, proficient scores in english dropped by 6 percent; proficient scores in math dropped 12 percent; proficient scores in social studies dropped 3 percent; and proficient scores in science dropped 4 percent, USA Today reported.

Students who take the Forward exam receive a score ranging from proficient, the highest, to basic and lower.

The data reflects a stark decrease in scores, but enrollment drops likely skew the data. Enrolled students that did not take the standardized exams negatively impacted district score averages.

Shorewood has seen one of the most dramatic drops in enrollment since the start of the pandemic. 1891 students were enrolled for the 2020-21 school year, 150 fewer students than the 2019-20 school year.

The average ACT score across Wisconsin for the 2020-21 school year was 19.1. For the 2019-20 school year, it was 19.8. The highest score is a 36. The ACT is administered to 11th-grade students.

Here's how ACT scores changed in the Shorewood School District from 2018-19 to now:

Shorewood School District

In 2018-2019, 148 students took the ACT in the Shorewood School District for an average composite score of 23.4.

In 2019-20, 147 students took the ACT in the Shorewood School District for an average composite score of 23.6.

In 2020-21, 149 students took the ACT in the Shorewood School District for an average composite score of 22.9.