Third graders in Wisconsin made tremendous strides in reading in 2005, with the highest number scoring at the proficient level in the history of the test. Included: Information on testing, scores.

The U.S. Department of Education cited improved reading scores in Wisconsin as a sign of the positive impact of the No Child Left Behind Act.

According to an article in the Peshtigo Times, "third grade reading scores improved statewide for the Wisconsin Reading Comprehension Test (WRCT) for 2005 with 87.4 percent scoring proficient or advanced on the exam, the highest level in the history of the test, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

"Of the 57,168 students who took the annual tests in March, 87.4 percent were able to meet the target of reading at levels rated proficient or advance. This is up 2.5 points from a year ago. In 2004 it was 84.9 percent and in 1998 when the tests first started it was 64.8 percent.

"WRCT scores were reported at the minimal, basic, proficient and advanced proficiently levels. Only 8.8 percent of students scored at the minimal level and basic proficiency levels this year compared to 25.9 percent in 1998....

"'Our third-grade students did a wonderful job on this challenging test of reading comprehension,' said State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. "More students took the test, and they achieved at higher levels than ever before. It is especially encouraging that results improved across all groups of students as we continually strive to close the achievement gap.'"

SOURCE:

Some of the information in this article comes from the Department of Education. To learn more about this article, you might read:

• Third Grade Reading Scores At New High
  This news article appeared in the Peshtigo Times on July 20, 2005. Note: This link was live at the time of publication. Some newspaper Web sites require registration. Others retain complete news stories for a limited time.