Overview
![Decorative Image](/sites/default/files/imce/assessment/images/Choice%20Grapic.png)
For the 2024-25 school year, Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP), Racine Parental Choice Program (RPCP) and Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) Schools will be required to administer to MPCP, RPCP, and WPCP pupils the following assessments:
- Wisconsin Forward Exam for English Language Arts and Mathematics assessments for grades 3‑8. Learn more about the Wisconsin Forward Exam.
- Wisconsin Forward Exam for Science for grades 4 and 8.
- Wisconsin Forward Exam for Social Studies for grades 4, 8 and 10.
- PreACT Secure™ for 9th and 10th grade. Learn more about PreACT Secure.
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The ACT® With Writing for 11th grade. Learn more about The ACT.
Administration Dates and Timeline
All required assessments for Choice students will be administered in the spring of the school year. Assessment calendars can be found at:
Costs of the assessments
The Department of Public Instruction is committed to paying for the vendor costs of the assessments for students who are part of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, the Racine Parental Choice Program and the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program. Schools which elect to administer any of the assessments to their non-Choice student population will be responsible for the vendor costs of the assessments.
Schools with Less than Twenty Choice Students
Excusal from Testing
It is expected that all students will complete the assessments during the testing date or window. However, there may be situations where parents or guardians desire to excuse their child from testing. If a parent or guardian elects to excuse their child from testing, the school is required to maintain written documentation of the parent’s request and to honor that request by not requiring the student to complete the assessment. School personnel do not have the authority to excuse students from testing without parental approval.
Civics Assessment Requirement for High School Graduation
Beginning with the 2016-17 school year, Wis. Stats. 118.33(1m) states that Choice schools may not grant a high school diploma to any pupil unless the pupil takes a civics test comprised of 100 questions that are identical to the 100 questions that may be asked of an individual during the process of applying for U.S. citizenship by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and the pupil correctly answers at least 65 of those questions.
Additional requirements of this legislation include:
- Students with an IEP as defined under Wis. Stats. 115.787 must complete the exam to receive a diploma, but are not required to meet the benchmark of 65 correct answers.
- A limited-English proficient pupil, as defined in Wis. Stats. 115.955 (7), is allowed to take the civics test in the pupil's language of choice.
- Students are also allowed to re-take the exam until they pass.
Department Contact Information
Any questions regarding the administration of the assessments in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, the Racine Parental Choice Program or the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program schools should be addressed to: