UPDATED: Wednesday, March 27, 2012 10:30 p.m.

New standardized test results show an achievement gap between different ethnicities in Madison schools persists

In November, students in 3rd-8th grade and 10th grade took the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam.

"What it's confirming is why we need to have this conversation about achievement gaps," said Superintendent Dan Nerad.

Nerad was especially disappointed with Reading and Language Arts levels.

About 90 percent of white students read at least proficiently for their age against about 60 percent or less of Hispanic and African American students. In Language Arts, more than 80 percent of white students are at least proficient opposed to less than half of those same minorities.

For months, Nerad and other school officials have been drafting a solution to the problem. They plan to combine their ideas with those from more than a dozen community input sessions in April and present a final plan in May.

Among their ideas are proposals to lengthen the school day for students that need extra help and add more career readiness programs. Nerad estimates the proposal would cost about $12 million in its first year, and more per year in the future.

You can view the new statistics at the link below.

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UPDATED Monday, February 6, 2012--9:45p.m.

Superintendent Daniel Nerad is unveiling a plan to address the achievement gap in Madison's schools.

The superintendent said there are six areas of focus for the plan, that includes:
-Instruction and support
-College and career readiness
-Culturally relevant practices
-Safe and positive school environments
-Family engagement
-Ensuring a diverse and qualified workforce

There are a lot of elements to the overall plan, but a few big highlights include: a proposal to extend the school day one period for the students that need it most. That would start in the 2013-2014 school year with middle and high school students.

Nerad also proposes ACT college entrance test prep for all students and creating career academies that will differ by each high school to help with career development.

He also wants to use an existing school to create a model school for culturally relevant practices.

Additionally, he wants diversity training and coaching for all staff members--and for the district to focus on recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. “We have just hired our new chief diversity officer who in fact will report directly to me,” said Nerad. “And the chief diversity officer will have overall responsibility for ensuring that we recruit, select and retain a more diverse workforce. Our students of color need to see themselves more in our schools."

Nerad said the preliminary budget puts the first year's cost at about twelve million dollars, but puts it at over one hundred million dollars over five years. Those are just preliminary numbers though, because they don't know what will make it into the final draft.

We also spoke with Board of Education President James Howard to hear his thoughts on the plan: "There's some good pieces to the plan,” he said. “It's quite a bit to try to comprehend in just a day or two and so my thoughts are you know, I'd like to wait and really look it over, think about it more."
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Howard said he did get to see the plan briefly before Nerad's presentation. He said he is looking forward to hearing what the public has to say about the proposal.

For more information on upcoming public input sessions, and to view the report, visit: https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/thefuture

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Posted Monday, February 6, 2012 --- 5:30 p.m.

We will learn more tonight on the Madison School District's plans to deal with the achievement gap at schools.

A meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. tonight at the Fitchburg Public Library.

NBC15's Rachelle Baillon will have details of the plan tonight on NBC15 News at 10:00 p.m.

**From the Madison School District:**

Join in the conversation.
We want to hear from you.
What are your hopes for improving student achievement in the Madison Schools?
What has been your experience?
Tell us what will best serve your children and their educational experience.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Superintendent Daniel Nerad and MMSD leaders along with community and parent organizations invite you to join in an upcoming Information and Input Session. Learn how the MMSD is addressing the critical and urgent need to close a gap in achievement that exists between groups of students and improve school success for all students. Several sessions that will be held across the community.

Meeting Format:
In small discussion groups, each table will focus on a question that relates to a section of the plan. Feedback collected at the sessions throughout the community will make improvements to the plan and provide Superintendent Nerad and the Board of Education with a better understanding of parents’ values, concerns and hopes for their child’s education as they make decisions about the direction of the MMSD.

If you would like to attend any of the sessions, please complete the form here: https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/inputsession

Volunteers are also needed for the Information and Input Sessions. Please let us know if you would be willing to help out.
Call 663-1964 if you have any questions.