News Release

Education Information Services  125 South Webster Street  P.O. Box 7841  Madison, WI 53707-7841  (608) 266-3559

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DPI-NR 2010-77

Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Contact: Patrick Gasper, DPI Communications Officer, (608) 266-3559

Recent actions to improve MPS student performance

MADISON — State Superintendent Tony Evers released a statement today on Milwaukee Public School’s (MPS)
preliminary progress report related to the Annual Yearly Progress review required by the No Child Left Behind Act.
MPS remains a district identified for improvement, and federal law requires that the state continue its corrective
action requirements to improve student achievement in Milwaukee.

“The preliminary Adequate Yearly Progress results for Milwaukee Public Schools continue the unsatisfactory trend
of the recent past. That is why I led the effort to pass Wisconsin Act 215, which provided the state more authority to
work with local school districts to turn around struggling schools. This new law, supported by the governor,
legislators, state and MPS education leadership, union leadership, and community leaders, emphasizes changes in
curriculum, targeted instructional support, and ensuring there are effective teachers and leaders in the lowest
performing schools.
“Because MPS remains identified for improvement, the Department of Public Instruction is revising the
federal corrective actions requirements. We will be working with MPS, as required by federal law and authorized
under the new state law, to implement changes for the benefit of Milwaukee’s children. MPS must focus efforts
on improving student achievement, improving student attendance, reducing truancy rates, and increasing its
graduation rate.
“Under the new state law, we will be working with the Milwaukee Board of School Directors to make
certain changes to improve student learning, which include

• employing a standard, consistent curriculum across grades in all schools;

• using student performance data to differentiate instruction to meet individual student needs;
• implementing a system of academic and behavioral supports and early interventions for all students to
improve reading and mathematics instruction and promote positive behavior; and
• providing additional learning time to address the academic needs of students.

“We must continue making changes to ensure the children of Milwaukee Public Schools graduate with the
knowledge and skills needed for success in college or in the workforce.”

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