New data from the state Department of Public Instruction cover last year's Forward Exam, the statewide test for students in grades three through eight.
Among choice students who took the test, nearly 35% met or passed the English language arts benchmarks, and roughly 30% reached proficiency in math. Both figures were close to the year before.
The picture is partial. About 26% of eligible choice students did not take the English or math portions, and about 18% were excused by their parents, a share similar to the prior year.
Students in the Milwaukee, Racine and Wisconsin parental choice programs are generally required to take state tests unless a parent opts them out, or their school falls under a small-enrollment exemption.
By comparison, about 98% of eligible public school students completed the exam, and about 53% of public school students in those grades met or passed the math and English benchmarks.
