Schools get mixed grades from state

School districts in the Shawano area are getting a mixed bag of evaluations in the newest state report cards on school performance.

The Menominee Indian School District is among five throughout the state to receive the lowest possible grade of “fails to meet expectations.”

Three other area districts — Bonduel, Tigerton and Wittenberg-Birnamwood — were rated high enough to receive a grade of “exceeds expectations.”

None achieved the highest possible rating of “significantly exceeds expectations,” which requires a score of 83 or higher on the state’s 100-point scale.

The Shawano School District received a score of 64.8 to qualify for a rating of “meets expectations.”

The Department of Public Instruction’s yearly report card evaluations are based on how school districts perform in numerous areas, including student achievement in mathematics and English, graduation and attendance rates, achievement gaps among student groups, dropout rates and absenteeism.

The Menominee Indian School District, with a score of 48.3, issued a statement attributing its poor rating to new standards added to the state’s formula. Superintendent Wendell Waukau called the district’s report card “very disappointing,” and he urged parents and others to be patient about improvements under way within the district.

“We are doing things right,” he said, “and I have every reason to believe we will rise to the occasion and meet or exceed the new standards in the coming years.”