MADISON, Wis. — Annual data on Wisconsin students’ test scores is a little muddier this year.

Every year, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is required to administer standardized tests, and report those results.

The 2020-2021 school year results were released Wednesday. Test scores were lower throughout the pandemic. However, pandemic complications really muddy the waters on this year’s data.

Taking a look at the statewide data, 32% of high school juniors were proficient or better in math in the 2019-20 school year. Looking at the 2020-21 school year, that number drops to 25%.

For freshmen and sophomores, their test scores dropped by about 10%. Only about 30% of them are considered at grade level for their math skills.

When it comes to younger kids, the trend was similar. For 3rd through 8th graders statewide, their math test scores dropped by about 10%. Those results show one third of those students are proficient in math.

However, there’s a big fat asterisk on this data: It counts students who didn’t take the test as “not proficient.” That makes the numbers inaccurate in comparison to previous years.

Some districts weren’t holding class in person when the tests were administered. On top of that, parents have the right to opt out of their children taking the exams.

In the Milwaukee's school district, only 4% of 3rd through 8th graders tested as proficient in math. A total of 39% of students tested as not proficient, and 56% of students didn’t take the test at all.

Officials from DPI said even though the lack of test scores from many students altered the results, the big picture may be the same: Students are experiencing learning loss, especially in mathematics.

What should parents who see that loss do? DPI staff said the first line of defense should be the student’s teacher.

“It definitely starts with a relationship, so that the two kind of partners in the child's lives are on the same page around how to help with that academic growth,” said Mary Mooney, DPI mathematics consultant.

Data has already been floating around social media that may not be giving the full picture. If you’re interested in looking at the data, you can even narrow it down by your child’s school district, here.

DPI officials said if there aren't at least 95% of students in a district tested, the data isn't reliable. 

However, be forewarned that it may take some digging to get to the big picture. Your best bet is likely the “State Tests” tab, then choose the type of test you’re looking for, and the district.