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Report Card Narrative Statement

Each year, DPI invites districts and schools to submit a brief narrative statement for the front page of their report cards. The narrative statement is a short, optional overview that allows you to share insights beyond the report card data, such as your school’s mission, new or ongoing initiatives, descriptions of district/school culture or curriculum, or other noteworthy characteristics.

To view your previous narrative statements or see examples from other districts or schools, visit Public Report Card app and open the first page of any prior school or district report card. The narrative statement is a 400-character text box on the top right of the front page of the school and district report card, an example screenshot of where this appears on the report card is included below:

A screenshot of the front page of an example district report card with a text box for the 400-character narrative statement prominently on the top of the page.

 

Narrative Statement Collection - Timeline and Updates

OEA has been working to streamline the collection process and make it easier for district staff to submit the narrative statements for the report card. Beginning with the 2024-25 report cards, a narrative statement will automatically carry over to the report cards for the next year. Schools and districts will have the option to edit, add, or delete statements annually via an application, the School Directory Management Portal, found within WISEhome. As always, narrative statements will appear in the fall preliminary secure release for your review prior to the public release.

Timeline: Narrative collection is not yet open for 2025-26 submission, this page will be updated when the collection is open and a due date has been finalized.

The narrative statements in the School Directory Management Portal as of [2026 date TBD} will be included in the fall preliminary secure release of report cards.

Access to the Submission Application

To access the Narrative Statement Submission Application within the School Directory Management Portal:

  • Log in to WISEhome.
  • Select the “School Directory” Application tile - if you do not have this tile, please see the application request instructions in the Application Request Instructions section below.

A screenshot of the WISEhome site with a link to the School Directory Application

  • Some access credentials will see two additional pages: if you have broader access to the School Directory Management Portal, you will see a welcome page, click “Home Page” on this screen:

A screenshot of different access credentials view in the School Directory Application

Then, on the Home Page, you will need to click into the Narrative Statement tile. If you do not have access to this tile, please see the application request instructions in the Application Request Instructions section below:

A screenshot of the Narrative Statement submission tile in the School Directory Application.

  • Read the instructions and notes page (all levels of access credentials will see this page). After you click “Start Narrative Statement”, you can return to the instructions page by clicking the “WI School Directory Management” on the top left ribbon.

Welcome

  • Click “Start Narrative Statement” to access the editing portal.

A screenshot of the instructions for the Narrative Statement submission within the School Directory Application.

  • Follow the instructions to review, edit, or delete your statement by the deadline.

Application Request Instructions

You will need to have access to the School Directory Management Portal and the Narrative Data Entry Role within WISEhome:

  • Log in to WISEhome.
  • Click “Request Access” in the top purple ribbon, and

  • Request Access to the School Directory Application through your LEA’s Application Security Manager. In the Comments Section, add that you need access to the “Narrative Data Entry Role”. This is a limited permission set that your District Security Administrator will need to add to your profile so that you can view and edit your narrative statements.

A screenshot of the Access Request showing that the Application requested is School Directory and that the Comment is a request for access to the Narrative Data Entry Role.

  • Your district’s District Security Administrator for WISEhome will need to approve your access request. When that is granted, you will be able to access the School Directory Management Portal and the Narrative Statement Collection Portal.

If you have any questions about the narrative statement collection, please reach out to ReportCardHelp@dpi.wi.gov. If you have issues gaining access to the Narrative Statement Collection Portal, please open a WISE Help Ticket for the School Directory.