Wisconsin decided to raise the passing mark on its tests, and the results were not pretty in Milwaukee.
90% of students in voucher schools were found not to be “proficient” in math or reading.
In the Milwaukee public schools, 85% were not proficient in reading and 80% were not proficient in math.
Governor Scott Walker has solved the problem for the voucher schools.
In his new legislation expanding the voucher program to more students, the schools will no longer be required to take the state tests.
Therefore, their proficiency rate will not be known or reported.
In the future, there will be no more comparing the results of voucher schools and public schools in Milwaukee.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Sounds about ripe for an Equal Protection suit …
The State Sup and Dems in Wisconsin have spent untold energy complaining that Voucher Schools are not included in the new “Accountability” system, but as this was being approved there was no attention given to how ridiculous the entire system is. Some (but far from all) of what is wrong with it is discussed here: http://madisonamps.org/2012/10/29/who-cuts-the-barbers-hair-or-wither-accountability/. The Voucher issue was a distraction; the real issue should have been the system itself.
Just curious: Is he, by chance, a Republican? Their current penchant for suppressing reports that do not favor them is widespread.
Yes Susan, he is a Teapublican. Walker will go down in history in a fitting McCarthy-like exit but in the mean time, he is killing us cheeseheads. His retaliatory nature toward anyone who disagrees with him is beyond horrifying.
We now have a few reporters asking questions in Texas
http://www.news-journal.com/opinion/saturday_forum/clements-too-little-about-vouchers/article_a9e71839-16d2-5099-a2aa-abdcfefbf470.html
“In the future, there will be no more comparing the results of voucher schools and public schools in Milwaukee.”
Just plain not true. While the comparison is inequitable at this point (MPS uses Full Academic Year while Choice schools include all) it is important to note that many Voucher schools are not in favor of abandoning the state test or reporting system and will continue to take the state assessment.
Also, what new legislation is saying this? I’ve heard some propose it — as people do, but never heard it as actual legislation.
The comparison data referenced in this piece is in fact ‘equitable’ in the way you referenced because neither the MPS nor the voucher data is based upon full academic year data. Both results are for all students tested. –Tony Tagliavia, Milwaukee Public Schools
Shaun:
What is true? Does the evidence so far compare “choice” schools and other public schools. Is every child tested in the same grades in both sets of schools using the same kinds of flawed instruments?
If the crummy tests are good enough for the neighborhood school, they should be good enough for the charters. This is simply an unvoiced admission that the tests are bunk.
As soon as American parents will start raising standardized kids with standardized childhoods, standardized tests will start making sense.
After teaching in WI for 3 years and now being in TX for the last three months I am horrified from the differences. If we continue to conform and move towards the ideals of TX, WI school systems will forever be lost. When parents are telling me they are happy to have a teacher from the north I see there being a problem. Simple – stop all the testing! We are creating children who can take tests, not life long learners. Schools are always tryin to keep up with the new systems and ideas – my question why change what is working or if it is not perfect why not adjust it before throwing it out for something bigger and new. Just because students can pass a test in no way shows learning and higher level thinking is happening in the classroom. Yes, there are some necessary tests to assess what has been learned, but the amount of testing that happens in TX is awful. No 2nd grader should be taking 5 hour long tests every quarter (4 quarters). Needless to say I will be coming back to the Midwest, hopefully WI, when this year is over. One because my values as a teacher are questioned here with what I am asked to do and two I will not allow my son to be in this school system, but if Walker continues to follow in the steps of one of the lowest test averages in the country – MN will be gaining a new teacher. Before these decisions are made teachers should be consulted. I didn’t put myself through 5 years of college and classroom experience to be treated as though I don’t know what I’m talking about – I, like all other teachers, live it every day – listen to our voices if you want solutions!
After teaching in WI for 3 years I ventured to TX for a change. Sad choice on my part. The school system here is out of control. There is no consistency and way too much testing. There is no reason a 2nd grade student should be tested 5 times a quarter with hour long tests (4 quarters a year). We are creating test takers not life long learners who are able to problem solve and use higher level thinking. If WI continues to conform or take on the ideals of states like TX we will be destroying what was once a thriving school system. There is a problem when parents tell me they are happy I am from the north. School systems need to stop trying to keep up with all the new ideas and systems. If something is working don’t change it and if it is not working adjust it, throwing it out and taking on something new is not working. These people who come in with all these new ways of learning are making millions of dollars because people are quick to adapt them rather than being sure it is what their school truly needs. As for the government being in charge of school systems – if they want change and success – start asking the teachers how to achieve this! I did not put myself through 5 years of college and classroom observations and teaching experience to have my voice silenced. I know my job better than anyone – and there are many of us like that. As for my son and myself, we will be back in the Midwest. One because my values do not fit with what I am being asked to do here and I will not allow my son to be educated in a system like this. As for WI I hope they start moving away from the similarities of TX, and if not MN may be gaining a new teacher.