Math and Reading Scores in Wisconsin Remain Stagnant

Sunday, October 4th, 2026 -- 8:00 AM

(Kayla Huynh, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) Math and reading scores among Wisconsin’s third- through eighth-grade students have again remained relatively stagnant, according to results from the state’s Forward Exam, released Oct. 1.

According to Kayla Huynh with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, about 53% of Wisconsin's third- through eighth-graders met or exceeded state standards for math and English language arts on last spring’s Forward Exam, a statewide standardized test gauging whether Wisconsin schoolchildren are meeting benchmarks in core subjects.

Roughly the same percentage scored proficient on the reading portion of the exam. The results were about the same as the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, with slight increases in English language arts.

Significant disparities in proficiency remained among students of color and students from lower-income families. Comparisons cannot be made before the 2023-24 school year, when the state Department of Public Instruction overhauled the exam’s scoring standards. State Superintendent Jill Underly, who heads the DPI, had warned against comparisons because the new scores are calculated so differently.

In an Oct. 1 statement, Underly said, "Wisconsin students continue to make steady progress, and we should be proud of that progress." "At the same time, we know too many students are still not where they need to be," Underly said.

"Every student deserves the opportunity to become a strong reader, a skilled mathematician, and a successful learner. We have more work to do as a state to give our students the support they need and give educators the tools and resources they need to help them succeed."

The latest numbers come amid the state’s slow academic rebound from the pandemic. A recent report from the Education Scorecard ranked Wisconsin 33rd of 38 states in math recovery and 30th of 35 in reading recovery since 2022.

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