WKCE

Overview of WKCE

The Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination (WKCE) was customized to measure the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards (WMAS) and was developed and designed by the Department of Public Instruction and Wisconsin educators in conjunction with CTB/McGraw-Hill. This standardized test was composed of some items specifically designed for Wisconsin and some commercially developed questions used in schools across the country. Students in grades 4, 8, and 10 took tests in Reading, Mathematics, Language Arts/Writing, Science, and Social Studies. WKCE was administered to all students enrolled in grades 4, 8, and 10 in Wisconsin public schools during the fall of each school year.

Purpose of the WKCE

The WKCE provided information about student attainment of subject-area proficiency to students, parents, and teachers, and information to support curriculum and instructional planning. The WKCE was designed to meet the requirements of NCLB accountability goals and Wisconsin Statutes.

Grade Advancement

Beginning September 1, 2002, WKCE scores were used as one of several criteria for advancing students from fourth to fifth grade and from eighth to ninth grade. The other criteria were academic performance, teacher recommendations based on academic performance, and any other academic criteria specified by the local school board.

General Descriptions of the Proficiency Categories

These performance level descriptions are intended to help parents, educators, and others understand what children who score at a given performance level on the WKCE are expected to know and be able to do at the time of testing. This information may be useful as one component of program planning and evaluation, but should be interpreted cautiously and in the context of other available information when applied to individual students.

Since 1997-98, Wisconsin has been using four proficiency categories: advanced, proficient, basic, and minimal performance. Proficiency score standards associate each of four scale score ranges with a specific proficiency category. Cut-scores divide scale scores into the four categories. The advanced and proficient levels are the long term educational goals for all students. Statewide standardized test scores are reported by proficiency category.

Advanced: Demonstrates in-depth understanding of academic knowledge and skills tested on WKCE at that grade level.

Proficient: Demonstrates competency in the academic knowledge and skills tested on WKCE at that grade level.

Basic: Demonstrates some academic knowledge and skills tested on WKCE at that grade level.

Minimal Performance: Demonstrates very limited academic knowledge and skills tested on WKCE at that grade level.