Seven Milestones for Post-Secondary Success
As students move through their 4K-12 academic careers, they strive for and reach a number of key milestones. We have identified seven milestones to guide our efforts in ensuring that all students will experience college and future career success. Our Milestones for Post-Secondary Success include measurable outcomes that allow us to monitor student progress in preparing for post-secondary success. Our goal is that when students graduate from high school, they have the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in post-secondary education. Each milestone is rigorous, encouraging our students to develop higher-level thinking and problem-solving skills.
Milestone 1 - Reading to Grade-Level Proficiency
(Gr. K-2)
Milestone 1 was modified in November 2024 to reflect the updates to MTSD's early literacy instruction and assessment as a result of Wisconsin's Act 20 Early Literacy Bill. The new Milestone 1 reads as follows:
Students scoring at or above the 50th percentile nationally on an assessment of early literacy skills are more likely to achieve stronger reading comprehension, vocabulary, and text processing, all of which are critical for later academic success. The Mequon-Thiensville School District monitors students' progress in reading to ensure students in grades 5K-2 are reading at grade level as measured by the State of Wisconsin's Early Literacy Screener.
Milestone 2 - Reading Achievement (Gr. 3-8)
Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth tests are administered to all MTSD students in Grades 1-8 in the fall, winter, and spring. These tests not only determine students' instructional level, but also measure their academic growth throughout the school year (and from year to year) in reading and mathematics. In the Mequon-Thiensville School District, progress is reported annually for students in Grades 3-8 who score at or above the 66th percentile at grade level on MAP tests demonstrating reading skills that will likely lead to college success.
Milestone 3 - Math Achievement (Gr. 3-8)
Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth tests are administered to all MTSD students in Grades 1-8 in the fall, winter, and spring. These tests not only determine students' instructional level, but also measure their academic growth throughout the school year (and from year to year) in reading and mathematics. In the Mequon-Thiensville School District, progress is reported annually for students in Grades 3-8 who score at or above the 70th percentile at grade level on MAP tests demonstrating mathematics skills that will likely lead to college success.
Milestone 4 - ACT Benchmark Attainment
(Gr. 9-11)
Students in Grades 9-11 in the Mequon-Thiensville School District are administered an ACT-related assessment annually as part of the state’s testing program. The ACT series of assessments can be used to assess college readiness. Students who meet or exceed the ACT Benchmarks in English, reading, math, and science associated with this exam have a high probability for success in respective college credit-bearing courses. The data below reflects the percentage of MTSD students in Grades 9-11 (Grades 8-11 in 2015-16 through 2018-19) that met or exceeded ACT Benchmarks in all four content areas in their respective ACT-related assessments.
Milestone 5 - Algebra 2 Success
Students who take advanced math in high school are more likely to attend and graduate from college. By completing Algebra 2 by the end of the 10th grade with a C or higher, students will have access to rigorous pre-college mathematics courses in Grades 11 and 12.
The Mequon-Thiensville School District maintains a typical secondary math course sequence that begins with Algebra I and continues with Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. Students who do not pass Algebra II before the end of 10th grade are unlikely to have the opportunity to take any Calculus courses before they graduate. In the Mequon-Thiensville School District, progress is reported annually regarding the percentage of 10th grade students that have completed Algebra II with a grade of “C” or better.
Milestone 6 - Success in Advanced Coursework
(Gr. 9-12)
The Mequon-Thiensville School District focuses on ensuring that students experience a rigorous curriculum in high school to support postsecondary success. One way of introducing rigorous coursework is to have students take college-level work, often in the form of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. In the Mequon-Thiensville School District, progress is reported annually regarding the percentage of students in the graduating class that scored a 3 or better on at least one AP exam.
Milestone 7 - Student Engagement (Gr. 4-12)
The MTSD contracts with School Perceptions LLC to facilitate an annual survey for all students in Grades 4-12 to assess school climate and student engagement. Students who are engaged and feel safe at school are more likely to achieve at school at a high level academically, thereby increasing the likelihood of post-secondary success. Survey questions are asked across seven indicators, including Connectedness, Drive, Citizenship/Leadership, Preparation, Social & Emotional Aptitude, Wellness, and Academics & Career Planning.
Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, students will be assessed using a 5-point scale. To reflect this change, the new benchmark will be set at 3.75 on the 5-point scale. The data below shows the percentage of students whose average engagement score, across all survey questions on the annual student engagement survey, was at or above 3.0 on the previous 4-point scale. The target has been to maintain an average of 3.0 or higher, recognizing that it is neither likely nor realistic for individuals to consistently score at the previous maximum of 4.0. For context, School Perceptions LLC also provides comparison scores from similar districts that administer the same survey.