Originally published Nov. 30, 2017

MONROE — Area school districts have received grades from the Wisconsin Department of Instruction and most fared well, including Brodhead, Monticello and New Glarus, with Monroe at the top of the area and better than average statewide.

As part of the state accountability system, schools receive reports on how they meet four main goals: English and mathematics performance, growth of the school system, the closure of gaps between student groups and student preparedness after secondary school, which includes graduation and attendance rates and achievement in both third-grade English and eighth-grade mathematics.

Monroe District Administrator Rick Waski noted the district's score of 80.4 places it among the top three of Madison area schools. Waunakee and McFarland scored higher at 85.6 and 80.5, respectively.

"We're very proud," Waski said. "We compare favorably with districts in Green County and greater Madison. I think it's a testament not only to our teachers, but to our student performance as well."

Of Monroe schools, Parkside Elementary was rated highest in the "Significantly Exceeds Expectations" category, in line with last year's report cards. A press release from Terri Montgomery, director of curriculum and instruction, stated the rest of the district's elementary schools and Monroe Middle School met the criteria for "Exceeds Expectations." Monroe High School was scored in the "Meets Expectations" category.

Albany had the lowest overall score of area districts, earning a 58.7 to put it in the "Meets Few Expectations" category for the second year despite a four-point increase from the 2015-16 school year. Argyle, Black Hawk and Pecatonica schools all remained in the category of "Meets Expectations," while Brodhead bumped up to "Exceeds Expectations" to join Monroe, Monticello and New Glarus. However, Darlington fell roughly six points to the three-star category with an overall score of 71.1.

All of the districts stayed above a failing score, leaving them free from any sort of sanctions.

Waski said Monroe Middle School and district elementary schools have "done very well with annual growth," meaning student development has moved in a positive direction throughout the year, adding value to the district through the eyes of the state accountability system. He added that the district has strong intervention systems to help guide students who fall behind.

New Glarus also did well among Madison area schools, ranking sixth with an overall score of 78.4.

While the School District of Monroe celebrates its results, other districts have been happy to improve curriculum for the betterment of students in a way that has also boosted ratings.

Juda was in the category of "Meets Few Expectations" in the results of the 2015-16 state report cards. This year, they were bumped up to a 66.3 score, meaning they meet expectations. Superintendent Traci Davis said the slow and steady approach is more about a focus on students.

"I want to say it's because we've been working really hard on curriculum and student development," Davis said. "I'd like to think it has something to do with the effort we've put in."

She said the district is "always looking to improve in all areas, all grades" and that while the report cards are useful tools to help evaluate certain achievement, the one-size-fits-all approach can be harder on a small district like Juda. Davis noted different factors can affect a district score. The district primarily uses state report cards to see data and "use them to dig deeper," she said.

State report cards have been a changing measurement over the last few years. The 2014-15 reports were never created due to a shift by legislators and changes to a number of requirements, leaving no method of comparison to the newest scores and older results, though the five-category reporting system has been a fixture since the 2011-12 report cards.