Teaching & Learning

The following communication was issued in September 2025:

Dear elementary families,

This letter shares information regarding how we will learn about your child's reading skills. In Wisconsin, each child in grades 4K-3 will take an assessment called the aimswebPlus early reading screener. A screener is an assessment that quickly checks your child’s early reading skills.

What skills will be tested?

The screener will check important literacy skills including alphabet knowledge, letter sound knowledge, phonemic awareness, decoding, and oral vocabulary. The skills are tested differently based on your child’s grade level. Please see page 2 for information about these skills.

When will the reading screener take place?

The assessment will take place in Fall, Winter, and Spring windows. For details, please see the district assessment calendar. 

What information will parents/caregivers receive?

You will receive your child’s test results within 15 days after the close of the test window. The report will share your student’s performance compared to national score averages. This comparison is called a percentile rank.

How will the information be used?

The information from the early reading screener is one way that your child’s teacher will learn about your child's reading skills. If your child’s score is below the 25th percentile, the teacher will give additional literacy assessments and will share a personalized reading plan that will outline supports your child will receive to meet grade-level goals. The information is also utilized to support classroom instructional needs. Our K - 5 classrooms utilize Into Reading, a Houghton Mifflin-Harcourt resource. This research-based resource is founded on structured literacy instruction that addresses all aspects of literacy, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing.

How can I prepare my child for the early reading screener?

No special preparation for aimswebPlus reading screener is needed. The testing is quick and should not become a big event for your child. State law requires that all students participate in the screener. If you have any questions or need more information about the early reading screener, please contact your child’s teacher or principal. Thank you for your ongoing partnership in your child’s education!

Early Reading Skills

2023 Wisconsin Act 20 requires that children are assessed in the early reading skills of alphabet knowledge, letter sound knowledge, phonemic awareness, and decoding. These skills are assessed differently depending on the student’s grade level. The skills being assessed are foundational to reading development and are You can learn more about these important early reading skills below:

• Alphabet knowledge: Knowing the names of printed letters.

• Letter sound knowledge: Knowing the sounds of printed letters.
• Phonemic awareness: Hearing , saying, and manipulating individual sounds in spoken words.
• Decoding skills: Connecting sounds to written letters to read printed words.
• Oral vocabulary: Understanding the meanings of words when speaking or listening.
• Reading Comprehension: Understanding a grade-appropriate text.

aimswebPlus Early Reading Screening Assessments

The aimswebPlus reading screeners that measure the skills above are based on a student’s grade level. Learn more about these assessments below: 

• Letter Naming Fluency (5K, 1st grade*): Your child will have one minute to say the names of upper-and lowercase letters. Measures a student’s knowledge of upper-and lower-case letters *Fall only for grade 1 classes. 
• Letter & Word Sounds Fluency (*4K, K , *1st grade) or Syllable Reading Fluency (Bilingual Program 5K): Your child will have one minute to say the sounds of letters, syllables, and words. Measures a student’s letter sound knowledge *Spring only for 4K students; fall only for first grade students.
• Initial sounds (4K, 5K): Your child will be provided a page with four pictures. They will be asked to either point to a picture of a word that matches the beginning sound the teacher says or make the beginning sound of a word spoken by the teacher. Measures a student’s phonemic awareness; this assessment will take 2 - 3 minutes.
• Phoneme Segmentation (5K, 1st grade) or Syllable Segmentation (Bilingual Program: K, 1st grade): Your child will listen to a word that is spoken by the teacher and then say each sound they hear in the word. Measures a student’s phonemic awareness; this assessment will take 2 - 3 minutes.
• Nonsense Word Fluency (5K, 1st grade): Your child will have one minute to read decodable word parts with fluency. Measures a student’s phonemic awareness.
• Word Reading Fluency (1st grade): Your child will have one minute to read grade level sight words with fluency. Measures a student’s phonological awareness.
• Auditory Vocabulary (5K, 1st grades): Your child will match a picture to the word said by the teacher. Measures a student’s knowledge of words commonly found in Kindergarten and First Grade reading materials; this assessment will take 2 - 4 minutes.
• Vocabulary (2nd, 3rd grades): Your child will choose the meaning of target words by selecting from multiple choice options. Measures a student’s knowledge of the meanings of grade-appropriate words. This is an untimed, computerized assessment that typically takes 7-10 minutes.
• Oral Reading Fluency (1st, 2nd, 3rd grades): Your child will read two stories aloud as far as they can go in one minute (for each story). Measures a student’s decoding skills.
• Listening Comprehension (Bilingual Program Only: 5K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd grades): Your child will listen to the teacher read prompts/short stories and will respond to the prompts in a packet. This is an untimed test that is administered to the whole class and typically takes 10 - 15 minutes.
• Comprehension (2nd, 3rd grades): Your child will read prompts/short stories and will respond to the prompts on the computer. This is an untimed test that is administered to the whole class and typically takes 10 - 15 minutes.

The following communication was issued in February 2026:

February 2026  

Dear GBAPS families,

This spring, all Green Bay Area Public School District students in grades 3 - 11 will take part in Wisconsin state assessments. It is important that all students participate in these assessments, which provide important data both for families and the District to determine how students are mastering the Wisconsin State Standards. 

State assessments are one measure, along with other classroom measures, that help us understand your child’s learning. The assessments help teachers reflect upon instructional practices; administrators to understand what students know and can do in order to guide curriculum and professional development decisions; and parents to understand what their child knows and is able to do in ELA, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies in relation to the Wisconsin State Standards. The results allow stakeholders to understand how ready ALL students are for college and careers.

Assessment Results

Individual Student Reports will be shared after the state has completed scoring of assessments. ACT results are available for families 3 – 8 weeks after testing is complete and the results will be sent directly to families from ACT. The District will notify families when Forward, PreACT, and DLM results are available in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. 

How You Can Help

You can help your child by:

• Making sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a healthy breakfast.
• Remaining positive. Staying calm will help your child stay calm. If your child gets nervous about the test or is likely to experience anxiety during the test, help them practice relaxation techniques they can try when taking the test.
• Reminding students that electronic devices are prohibited: cell phones, smart watches, and other devices will not be accessible during testing or at testing breaks.

Thank you for your continued involvement and support of your child’s education!
When a parent or guardian requests that the student be excused from participating in the WSAS, this request must be honored at grades 4, 8, 9-11, per Wis. Stats. 118.30(2)(b)3. with the exception of the ACCESS for ELLs. Parents or guardians wishing to excuse their child from participating in the Wisconsin Student Assessment System must contact your building principal to set up a meeting regarding your request.

The following communication was issued in September 2025:

September 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians of 4th through 10th graders,

We are excited to share an important tool we use to support your child’s reading and math journey—the Star Reading/Lectura and Star Math assessment. This innovative assessment is designed to provide valuable insights into your child's reading skills, helping us tailor instruction to meet their unique needs. Star assessments are a computer-adaptive tests that adjust to each student’s ability level, making them both engaging and accurate. The results give us a deeper understanding of your child’s strengths and areas for growth, allowing us to personalize their learning experience and track their progress over time. The assessments are brief, generally taking around 30 minutes to complete, with a total of 34 questions. The data gathered is used to guide our teaching and enhance your child’s educational experience. Star will be given in September, December, and May. We believe that parents and guardians are essential partners in fostering a love for learning, and we look forward to sharing your child’s results with you. If you have any questions about the Star assessments, please see the resources available below. Thank you for your continued support in your child’s learning journey!

Please review the following resources for information about the Star Reading assessment:

• Meet Star Assessments 
• Family Resources
• Star Family Report
• Star Reading Sample Items
• Star Lectura Sample Items (Spanish)
• Star Math Sample Items

The following communication was issued in November 2025:

November 2025

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

Your student will be participating in the WIDA ACCESS assessment throughout December and January. The WIDA ACCESS is federally mandated English proficiency assessment. This assessment is given annually to students who are identified as Multilingual Learners (MLs) to determine their level of English language proficiency.

The questions on the WIDA ACCESS assessment reflects language students use within different school settings. WIDA ACCESS is aligned with WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards:

• Social and Instructional Language
• Language of Language Arts
• Language of Mathematics
• Language of Science
• Language of Social Studies

The District will receive individual student reports in late spring and these will be shared with families before the end of the school year. WIDA ACCESS results are used by the District to:

Help students understand their current level of English language proficiency

Help teachers provide targeted language development to students

Help schools to determine if a student has reached full English proficiency

Meet federal requirements to monitor the progress of MLs toward English language proficiency

If you have questions about testing, please contact your school principal. Thank you for your continued partnership!

Learn more about the WIDA ACCESS test.

State Level Assessments

aimswebPlus Screener & Amira Benchmark*

Grade Levels & Subjects Assessed

Grades 4K-3: These early literacy skills assessments are utilized to inform instruction and monitor the district’s literacy achievement and growth goals.

*K - 3: If a student scores below the 25th percentile on the aimsweb screener, they will also take an additional literacy assessment, per state statute. The additional results help identify specific literacy skills that will serve as students’ learning goals.

Purpose and Use of the Assessment

Districts must assess fundamental reading skills in order to inform and identify students with reading needs. Districts are required to provide interventions or remedial services to address the needs consistent with the state standards in reading and language arts.

Statutory Requirement

Wiscon Esin State Statute 118.016

Length of Assessment

Varies by grade level: screening measures are short, typically a few minutes each. Screening takes place within the first 10 days of window; diagnostic is administered within the 10 days after the reading screening indicates that the student is below the 25th percentile.

Schedule for the Assessment

Screeners must be administered three times a year in 5K - grade 3 and twice a year for 4K.

• 4K - 3, Fall: Sept 17 - Oct 6

• 5K - 3, Winter: Jan 21 - Feb 9
• 4K - 3, Spring: Apr 8 - 27

Results

Individual student results are available in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal within 15 days of the assessment.

State Level Assessments

ACCESS  & Alternate ACCESS

Grade Levels & Subjects Assessed

Grades K-12: English language proficiency for students identified as Multilingual Learners (MLs)

Purpose and Use of the Assessment

ACCESS and the Alternate ACCESS allow educators, MLs, and families to monitor ML’s progress in acquiring academic English in the domains of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The Alternate ACCESS is individually administered to students in grades K-12 who are identified as Multilingual learners (MLs) with the most significant cognitive disabilities. These tests are intended for MLs who participate in their state's alternate assessment(s).

Statutory Requirement

ESSA and Wisconsin State Statute 115.96(1)

Length of Assessment

The test is untimed, and students have the time needed to produce scorable content. ACCESS typically takes 1 - 4.5 hours to complete, depending on grade and test format.

Schedule for the Assessment

ACCESS/Alternate ACCESS is administered annually in the winter.

Learn more from DPI

Results

Individual paper student score reports are mailed during the spring. Results are also available in summer via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

Learn more from DPI

State Level Assessments

Wisconsin Forward Exam

Grade Levels & Subjects Assessed

Grades 3-8: English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics
+ Grades 4 and 8: Science
+ Grades 4, 8, and 10: Social Studies

Purpose and Use of the Assessment

The Wisconsin Forward state exam is designed to gauge how well students are doing in relation to the Wisconsin Academic Standards. These standards outline what students should know and be able to do in order to be college and career ready.

Statutory Requirement

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Wisconsin State Statute 118.30

Length of Assessment

The Forward Exam is untimed, given over multiple days with breaks.

Learn more from DPI

Schedule for the Assessment

The Forward Exam is administered annually in the spring.

Learn more from DPI

Results

Individual paper student score reports are mailed during the spring. Results are also available in summer via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

Learn more from DPI

State Level Assessments

Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM)

Grade Levels & Subjects Assessed

Grades 3-11: ELA and Mathematics
+ Grades 4, 8-11 in Science
+ Grades 4, 8, and 10 in Social Studies

Purpose and Use of the Assessment

DLM assesses the academic progress of students with significant cognitive disabilities. It is administered online.

Statutory Requirement

ESSA and Wisconsin State Statute 118.30

Length of Assessment

DLM test is untimed.

Schedule for the Assessment

DLM is administered annually in the spring.

Learn more from DPI

Results

Individual student results are available to families in summer via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

Learn more from DPI

State Level Assessments

PreACT Secure

Grade Levels & Subjects Assessed

Grades 9-10: Reading, English, Mathematics, and Science

Purpose and Use of the Assessment

The PreACT Secure is used by Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction as the ninth and tenth grade high school accountability measure to determine the extent to which schools and districts are meeting proficiency standards. PreACT Secure can be used to predict future ACT scores and possible areas of strength and challenges.

Statutory Requirement

Wisconsin State Statute 118.30

Length of Assessment

PreACT Secure assessments take 2 hours, 50 minutes to complete, with breaks.

Learn more from DPI

Schedule for the Assessment

PreACT Secure is administered annually in the spring.

Learn more from DPI

Results

Individual student results are available to families in summer via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

Learn more from DPI

State Level Assessments

ACT with Writing

Grade Levels & Subjects Assessed

Grade 11: Reading, English, Mathematics, Science, and Writing

Purpose and Use of the Assessment

ACT with Writing helps students understand what they need to learn to build rigorous high school course plans and identify career areas. It can be used for college enrollment, scholarships, and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility requirements.

Statutory Requirement

ESSA and Wisconsin State Statute 118.30

Length of Assessment

ACT with writing takes 3 hours, 55 minutes to complete, with breaks.

Learn more from DPI

Schedule for the Assessment

ACT with writing is administered annually in the spring.

Learn more from DPI

Results

Student Score Reports are available online and mailed by ACT 5-8 weeks after the assessment.

Learn more from DPI

State Level Assessments

Civics

Grade Levels & Subjects Assessed

Grade 11: Social Studies graduation requirement

Purpose and Use of the Assessment

Wisconsin statute requires that any student graduating from a Wisconsin high school, “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."

Statutory Requirement

Wis. Stat. sec. 118.33(1m)(a)1

Length of Assessment

The Civics test is untimed.

Schedule for the Assessment

October - June, completed in one sitting.

Learn more from DPI

Results

Results are shared on the student’s report card. Students may retake the exam if they did not receive a passing score.

4K Report Card - English | Spanish

Kindergarten Report Card - English | Spanish

Grade 1 Report Card - English | Spanish

Grade 2 Report Card - English | Spanish

Grade 3 Report Card - English | Spanish

Grade 4 Report Card - English | Spanish

Grade 5 Report Card - English | Spanish

Does GBAPS teach Critical Race Theory?

The simple answer is no. Critical Race Theory (CRT) is defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica as:

“critical race theory (CRT)", intellectual movement and loosely organized framework of legal analysis based on the premise that race is not a natural, biologically grounded feature of physically distinct subgroups of human beings but a socially constructed (culturally invented) category that is used to oppress and exploit people of colour. Critical race theorists hold that the law and legal institutions in the United States are inherently racist insofar as they function to create and maintain social, economic, and political inequalities between whites and nonwhites, especially African Americans.”

What are school districts required by Wisconsin state law to teach regarding concepts of race and diversity?

State law requires that all Wisconsin school districts teach about race at all grade levels. 

Wis. Stat. § 118.01(2)(c)8 mandates that school districts provide an instructional program to give pupils “at all grade levels, an understanding of human relations, particularly with regard to American Indians, Black Americans, and Hispanics.” 

Wis. Stat. § 121.02(1)(L)4 requires that school districts, “as part of the social studies curriculum, include instruction in the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of the federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands located in this state at least twice in the elementary grades and at least once in the high school grades.”

Wis. Stat. § 121.02(1)(h) requires each school board to “provide adequate instructional materials, texts and library services which reflects the cultural diversity and pluralistic nature of American society.”

Wis. Stat. § 118.01(2)(c)7 requires the school district to provide an instructional program that will give students “an appreciation and understanding of different value systems and cultures.” In other words, teachers must present multiple perspectives on American history and culture and encourage students to “appreciate and understand” diverse value systems.

What is being referred to when the acronym CLRT is being used by District administrators, staff or board members?

CLRT is an acronym used in many K-12 systems for Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching. Both Title VI of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Wis. Stat. § 118.13 mandate that schools prevent discrimination against students in their access to educational opportunity based on race. 

Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching (CLRT) is the method and practice of teaching that recognizes the importance of including students’ cultural references in all aspects of learning. One way in which a teacher may include CLRT in their classroom is to include literature by diverse authors, from other cultures, or with diverse characters. Including these books, does not take away from the value of “traditional books,” but rather creates a richer learning experience that validates all students’ identities. 

CLRT has several benefits:

• Strengthens students’ sense of identity 
• Promotes equity and inclusivity in the classroom
• Engages students in the subject matter
• Supports critical thinking

Is GBAPS’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) work with Hanover Research a first step toward teaching Critical Race Theory in the classroom?

No. GBAPS’s EDI work with Hanover Research is about creating a three-year strategic plan regarding equity, with various stakeholders, and includes metrics for accountability. Working with Hanover Research, GBAPS is working to understand the root causes behind the perpetual opportunity gaps between white and non-white students, and students with disabilities and students without disabilities. Using the data, the District will develop a plan to ensure our schools are welcoming and create a sense of belonging for each and every child. The EDI effort is about “lifting all boats,” and not about making changes that result in reducing opportunities for one group of children so we can improve opportunities for others. 

Are parents/guardians able to review curriculum taught in their child’s classroom?

Yes, parents/guardians have the right to make a public records request to examine curriculum. Please review Board of Education policy. 

Whom can I contact if I have concerns regarding the curriculum taught in my child’s classroom?

We ask that you follow the District’s protocol for seeking information and addressing concerns by contacting staff in this order:

1. Classroom teacher
2. School principal
3. Superintendent
4. School Board

District Level Measurements

Star Screener

Grade Levels & Subjects Assessed

• Reading: Grades 4 - 10

• Mathematics: Grades 4 - 10

Purpose and Use of the Assessment

Star screeners assess and benchmark students' reading/math abilities consistently across grade levels, identify students in need of targeted support or enrichment opportunities, and provide data to track student progress and inform instructional decisions.

Length of Assessment

Typically up to 35 minutes.

Schedule for the Assessment

• Fall: September 8 - 17

• Winter: December 8 - 16

• Spring: May 11 - 21

Results

Individual student results are available to families via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal within two weeks of each assessment window.

District Level Measurements

Bridges Interview & Number Corner

Grade Levels & Subjects Assessed

• Bridges Interview: 4K

• Number Corner: Grades K - 5

Purpose and Use of the Assessment

This math assessment monitors critical areas of instructional focus for each grade level, as well as application of the state standards. Results provide a snapshot of skills at specific times throughout the year and are used to support instructional decisions.

Length of Assessment

Varies depending on grade level.

Schedule for the Assessment

• 4K Bridges: November, January, May

• K - 5 Number Corner: October, January, May

Results

Results are shared at parent-teacher conferences and will support monitoring of growth toward grade level standards.

District Level Measurements

Panorama Universal SEL Survey

Grade Levels & Subjects Assessed

Grades 3 - 12

Purpose and Use of the Assessment

The Panorama Universal Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Survey is a district and school level assessment of social emotional competencies.

Length of Assessment

Typically up to 30- 45 minutes.

Schedule for the Assessment

Spring: April - May

Results

Survey results are anonymous. Data is disaggregated by district, school, and grade. Results are utilized in school success plans.

State Level Assessments

BIMAS-2 Survey

Grade Levels & Subjects Assessed

Grade 5 & Grade 8

Purpose and Use of the Assessment

The BIMAS-2 (Behavior Intervention Monitoring and Assessment System-2) can help schools identify students who are at risk of current or future academic, behavioral, or emotional difficulties so that early intervention can be provided to strengthen behavioral, social, and emotional skills

Length of Assessment

• Grade 5: student survey, 20 minutes

• Grade 8: student survey, 10 minutes

Schedule for the Assessment

Fall

Results

Contact your child’s School Social Worker if you would like information about your child’s results. Parents will be contacted if safety concerns are identified.

CogAT assessment

• Second grade screener for verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning

• Fall administration

PSAT-NMSQT assessment

• 11th grade screener for candidacy for National Merit Scholarship Program 

• Fall administration

AAPPL assessment

• Spanish language assessment used in support of bilingual programming, course placement, and as one measure for Seal of Biliteracy candidacy

• Winter & Spring administrations

Advanced Placement assessments

• Opportunity to earn collegiate credits

• Spring administration