New State Report Card Better Reflects MPS’s Progress, Challenges

(MILWAUKEE) — The latest state report card for Milwaukee Public Schools continues to underscore the urgent need to grow academic achievement, while indicating some progress toward that goal, Superintendent Brenda Cassellius announced today.

Under new changes to how report cards are calculated, MPS’s overall score is now 59.5, reflecting some improvements in achievement and growth. While the score is higher than last year’s, a change in category score ranges means that MPS is now rated “Meets Few Expectations” instead of “Meets Expectations.”

“We need to grow more and faster to truly meet and exceed the expectations that our families and community have for us — and the expectations we have for each other as educators. Our new Literacy Plan is the first step toward stronger growth,” Dr. Cassellius said. “The Literacy Plan honors the dedication and commitment of our 4,000-plus teachers by giving them the modern tools and techniques that will help all students — and all means all — learn to read.”

The district’s new literacy plan focuses on high-quality instruction for all students at all grade levels. It shifts from older methods such as “three cueing” to teaching students to decode words, in alignment with the science of reading and Wisconsin Act 20. The plan is being implemented and includes 40 hours of dedicated teacher training during the 2025-26 school year. Some initial improvements could come in the spring 2026 state tests; those results will be released in fall 2026. The community can expect meaningful impact in the next two to three years.

Dr. Cassellius stressed that stronger literacy is the key to growing student performance in math, science, social studies and all aspects of students’ education. To learn more about MPS’s Literacy Plan — including a video — visit the literacy page on the district website.

School-specific report card results show:

• 66 MPS schools are rated “Meets Expectations,” “Exceeds Expectations” or “Significantly Exceeds Expectations”
• 40 schools are rated “Meets Few Expectations”
• 36 schools are rated “Fails to Meet Expectations”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.