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.

General Descriptions of the Proficiency Categories

• 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.

Detailed Descriptions of WKCE Proficiency Level Descriptors for Language Arts