Wisconsin Model Academic Standards

Academic Standards--What are they?

Academic standards specify what students should know and be able to do, what they might be asked to do to give evidence of standards, and how well they must perform. They include content, performance, and proficiency standards.

• Content standards refer to what students should know and be able to do.
• Performance standards tell how students will show that they are meeting a standard.
• Proficiency standards indicate how well students must perform.

The links to the four core standards (left column) provide separate webpages for the content and performance standard of each subject at each grade and are designed to make it possible to individually copy particular sections of each of the four core standards. Other academic standard area files are in PDF.

Questions and Answers about Academic Standards

Relating the Academic Standards to All Students

Applying the Academic Standards Across the Curriculum

Draft Revisions to WI Model Academic Standards: English Language Arts and Mathematics

The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers are leading an initiative to develop Common Core Standards. Wisconsin is one of 48 states committed to this project. By signing the Memorandum of Understanding, states have agreed to adopt a common set of standards. Drafts of the Common Core Standards are updated periodically.

In light of this important national initiative, the Department of Public Instruction posts these draft versions of Wisconsin's standards in English language arts and mathematics for districts and schools. While not finalized, Wisconsin continues to work with the ELA and mathematics standards task forces to review, shape, and respond to state and national draft standards documents.

Finalizing of Wisconsin's standards in ELA and mathematics likely will occur in 2010. Simultaneous with the revisions of Wisconsin's standards, DPI will be transforming the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam. The national discussion of common assessments will also likely impact state level assessment.

Executive Order 302 Related to the Creation of the Governor's Council on Model Academic Standards, dated January 24, 1997.

Executive Order 326 Related to the Approval and Issuance of Wisconsin's Model Academic Standards, dated January 13, 1998.

Publications has printed standards booklets and a CD-ROM version in Microsoft Word 6.0 available on all 18 standards.

For questions about this information, contact S. Paul Sandrock (608) 267-3726

Last updated on 12/21/2009 2:59:55 PM