Public Accountability • Civic Literacy • Common-Sense Conversations
October 10, 2025, | Vol. 1, Issue 32 (Approx. 1774 words – a nine- minute read)
What’s Ahead? – “Building Tomorrow’s Rock County: Youth Leadership, Academic Growth, and Accountability in Action.”
🎓 JANESVILLE SCHOOL BOARD — ROCK COUNTY SCHOOLS AIM HIGHER
Measurable Gains, Meaningful Growth: Districts Set New Benchmarks for Academic and Civic Readiness in 2024–25.
Building Tomorrow’s Rock County: Youth Leadership, Academic Growth, and Accountability in Action
Across Rock County, schools are renewing their mission to connect learning with leadership — and nowhere is that more visible than in the Janesville School District’s 2024–25 goals.
“Provide engaging curriculum and experiences that develop the knowledge and skills for college, career, and community readiness.” Our Goal
This simple yet powerful vision anchors the district’s academic plan for the year ahead. Instead of launching new testing regimes or headline-grabbing programs, Janesville’s approach focuses on steady, measurable progress that reaches every student.
Raising the Bar: Janesville’s 2% Growth Targets
The Janesville School District has adopted clear, quantifiable goals for the 2024–25 school year:
- ELA & Math (Grades 3–8): Increase the percentage of students rated proficient or advanced by 2%.
- ACT & Pre-ACT (Grades 10–11): Boost the percentage meeting Reading and Math benchmarks by 2%.
- Attendance: Improve district-wide attendance from 91.4% to 92.3%, meeting or exceeding the state average.
Each percentage point matters — not for charts or rankings, but for the students behind the numbers.
“Every percentage point is a classroom of children moving from ‘basic’ to ‘proficient.’”
— District Assessment Coordinator
Data in Context: Progress, Not Perfection
Statewide, roughly 40% of Wisconsin students score proficient or advanced in English Language Arts and 41% in Math. Janesville’s numbers are close to those marks but have plateaued since 2019 — a signal that small, steady gains could produce major long-term impacts.
District leaders emphasize that testing is not destiny. It’s a tool for identifying gaps, refining instruction, and aligning resources.
“Testing doesn’t define our students,” one administrator notes, “but it helps us define our priorities.”
SIDEBAR: How Janesville and Rock County Stack Up
(Wisconsin Forward Exam 2024 – Selected Grades 3–8)
| Subject | State Avg. (Proficient/Advanced) | Rock County Avg. | Janesville Target 2025 |
| ELA | 40% | 39% | 41% |
| Math | 41% | 40% | 42% |
| Attendance | 92.3% | 91.4% | 92.3%+ |
Source: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Forward Exam 2024 Data
Each small percentage point represents dozens of Janesville students meeting or exceeding expectations.
Attendance as a Cornerstone
Post-pandemic recovery has brought renewed attention to attendance. Chronic absenteeism continues to challenge districts statewide. Janesville educators are reframing attendance as a core academic issue, not merely an administrative task.
“Every day counts. The difference between a 91% and 93% attendance rate is more than data — it’s opportunity.”
— Elementary Principal, Janesville
Looking Ahead: Shared Accountability
By June 2026, the Janesville School Board will review end-of-year results, but the work begins now — in daily attendance checks, reading groups, and collaborative classrooms.
This incremental approach underscores a broader truth: education is both a public investment and a community mirror.
“This isn’t about test prep. It’s about life prep.”
— Veteran Teacher, Rock County
- SIDEBAR: Connecting the Classroom to Civic Life
Academic growth is just one piece of the puzzle. Across Rock County, the Rock County Civics Academy (RCCA), in partnership with Milton High School, is bringing civic literacy to life.
While Janesville’s goals emphasize academic proficiency, the Civics Academy is cultivating the skills that make those numbers meaningful: critical thinking, dialogue, and civic participation.
Together, these initiatives build the bridge between learning and leading.
“A student who reads critically and interprets data becomes a citizen who participates thoughtfully” –RCCA Leadership
🌍 Goal Statement:
Rock County Civics Academy – Our Vision and Mission for Better World Through Educational Excellence
- .”Education Corner Commentary: When Test Scores Meet Turnover: Wisconsin’s School Leaders Paying the Price?
The Story Behind the Numbers
Each fall, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) releases two reports that shape both policy and perception:
1️⃣ The Wisconsin Forward Exam, measuring student proficiency.
2️⃣ Annual School Report Cards, rating districts from Fails to Meet to Significantly Exceeds Expectations.
These metrics are no longer mere academic benchmarks — they increasingly correlate with leadership stability.
“When scores drop, the pressure builds. Boards start asking: is it instruction, is it poverty, or is it leadership?”
— Education Analyst, Madison Policy Roundtable 2024
The Turnover Trend
From 2015 to 2024, DPI data suggest that districts with multiple years of stagnant or declining Forward Exam results are more likely to see superintendent turnover within two years.
Urban and high-poverty districts such as Beloit and Racine have faced the highest instability, often driven by external pressures beyond the classroom.
“Leadership accountability has become shorthand for test score performance. But when the inputs — poverty, mobility, trauma — are ignored, turnover becomes a distraction, not a solution.”
— Former Superintendent, Rock County
📊 By the Numbers: 2024 DPI Report Cards (Local Snapshot)
| District / School | Meets or Exceeds Expectations | Meets Few / Does Not Meet | Not Rated |
| Janesville School District | ✅ Meets Expectations (3-Star) | — | — |
| Beloit School District | ⚠️ Meets Few Expectations (2-Star) | Present | — |
| Milton School District | 🌟 Exceeds Expectations (4-Star) | — | — |
| Lincoln Academy (Beloit) | ⚠️ Meets Few Expectations | — | — |
| Rock University High School (UW–Whitewater) | 🌟 Exceeds Expectations | — | — |
Source: DPI 2024 Accountability Report Card Portal
🧭 Reading Between the Lines
The Janesville School District, once a consistent Exceeds Expectations performer, has seen proficiency levels flatten since 2019. Beloit continues to battle economic barriers, while Milton and Rock University High remain county leaders.
That divide reflects a broader statewide tension: academic accountability vs. socioeconomic context.
Even DPI’s own accountability guidance warns that “results must be interpreted within the socioeconomic realities of each district.”
💡 Sidebar: Quick Facts
- 84% of Wisconsin schools met or exceeded expectations in 2024.
- 16% did not — mostly urban, high-poverty districts.
- Over 30% of superintendent changes statewide in the last decade followed two consecutive below-expectation years.
- DPI defines Meets Few Expectations as an index score below 63.
📈 Explore interactive data at data.dpi.wi.gov
📘 2024–25 Wisconsin Forward Exam Results
| District / School | Meets or exceeds | Meets Few / Does Not | Not Rated / No Test |
| Janesville School District | 51.3% | 47.3% | 1.3% |
| Beloit School District | 20.9% | 76.9% | 2.3% |
| Milton School District | 62.7% | 36.7% | 0.7% |
| Lincoln Academy (Beloit) | 44.3% | 54.7% | 1.0% |
| Rock University High School | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Source: DPI WISEdash Public Portal, 2024–25 Forward Exam Summary
The Bottom Line
While correlation is not causation, the trend is undeniable:
as public scrutiny intensifies, superintendent stability declines.
The Forward Exam and Report Card system, designed for transparency, may now be quietly reshaping leadership itself.
“Are test scores measuring learning — or predicting the next superintendent search?”
— Editorial Board, Hypothetically Speaking
🧭 Editorial Salute: Rock County Leads by Example with Youth in Governance Program
Building Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today
Rock County deserves recognition for doing what many only discuss — preparing youth for civic leadership through its Youth in Governance Program.
Launched in 2023 as an exploratory committee and formalized in 2025–26, the program now places six to ten student representatives on County Board committees. These students gain firsthand exposure to policy, procedure, and leadership, while supervisors benefit from the fresh perspectives of youth voices.
This initiative pairs seamlessly with the Rock County Civics Academy–Milton High School partnership.
The Academy teaches civic theory; Youth in Governance puts it into action.
Together, they create a continuum of civic learning — from classroom to committee room.
“It’s a proud example of local government not only serving the people but inspiring the people who will serve next.”
For Discussion at the Next Civic Coffee Hour
What would a more participatory, citizen-influenced budget look like in Janesville or Rock County?
Could residents help shape the numbers before the hearings begin?
#Education #Wisconsin #RockCounty #SchoolLeadership #Accountability #YouthInGovernance #PublicPolicy #HypotheticallySpeaking
🗞️ Hypothetically Speaking is your weekly dispatch on civic strategy, regional development, and the stories behind the headlines. Subscribe for more analysis, graphics, and commentary that connect local decisions to broader democratic principles.
🗞️ Hypothetically Speaking
Subscribe for analysis, graphics, and commentary that connect local decisions to broader democratic principles.
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🏞️ Final Commentary: The Learning River — From Data Banks to Civic Shores
As Rock County schools chart their course for 2025, a quiet but powerful metaphor is emerging — one that connects the dots between test scores and town halls, between daily attendance and democratic participation.
Picture a river.
Its headwaters spring from the highlands of Academic Data — where benchmarks like Forward Exam scores, ACT proficiency, and attendance rates begin their journey. These metrics matter. They help us see where we are, and where we’re trying to go.
But the river doesn’t stop there.
It rushes through the Instructional Rapids, where educators steer differentiated learning, targeted interventions, and classroom innovation. It nourishes the Growth Gardens, where students cultivate critical thinking, collaboration, and civic literacy. And finally, it reaches the Civic Delta — where youth leadership programs, governance initiatives, and community engagement transform learners into leaders.
Along the banks stand Community Watchtowers — families, board members, and civic partners who ensure the river stays true to its course. They don’t just monitor progress; they protect the promise of public education.
This is not a river of rankings. It’s a river of readiness.
And as Janesville sets its sights on 2% gains in proficiency and attendance, the real question isn’t just “Are we improving?” — it’s “Are we preparing?”
Are we building a Rock County where every student not only meets expectations, but exceeds them — in the classroom, in the community, and in the character they carry forward?
That’s the current we’re in.
That’s the journey ahead.
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🧩 Next Coffee Corner Question:
How can Rock County schools balance measurable academic growth with the deeper goal of preparing students for civic leadership and lifelong learning?
– Join us at Havana Coffee sometime for a conversation. Reach out, we’ll make a date to learn together — Rockcountycivicsacademy.org
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🗳️ A Reader Asks: Why do you push citizen participation and getting involved as much as you do? We all know that City Hall isn’t interested in what we have to say, and they only pretend to accommodate our interests with their toothless committees and shallow promises.
Dear Reader,
We hear your frustration — and you’re not alone. But civic participation isn’t about trusting every promise from City Hall. It’s about showing up anyway. Because when citizens disengage, the only voices left are the ones already in power. Committees may be imperfect, but they’re also entry points. Every public comment, student rep, and watchdog group helps shift the balance from symbolic to substantive. We push participation not because the system is flawless — but because it won’t improve without you. So, think seriously about volunteering or running for office. We have tools to help you including a team of veterans who will guide you step by step. At a minimum, check out our Ten Steps to Public Service Excellence on our website: rockcountycivicsacademy.org.
— RCCA Editorial Team
☕ Community Spotlight: Havana Coffee
If you are looking for a place to reflect on your civic journey—or just fuel up before a council meeting—stop by Havana Coffee at 1250 Milton Avenue. It is a true Janesville gem, where espresso meets engagement.
With hearty food, warm service, and a strong commitment to local journalism, Havana Coffee proudly supports the Rock County Civics Academy and all who believe in informed participation.
We are grateful to Daniela and her team for creating a space where ideas percolate and conversations matter.
⚖️ Welcome Nowlan Law Firm and Attorney Tim Lindau
We also extend our thanks to Attorney Tim Lindau and the Nowlan Law Firm for their support of civic education and democratic renewal. Tim’s encouragement—and his belief in the power of informed leadership—helps sustain our mission.
Together, with partners like Havana and Nowlan, we are building a culture of engagement that honors both tradition and transformation.
💬 Hypothetically Speaking…
• What if transparency was standard in local government?
• What if civic engagement became Rock County’s defining strength?
That is the mission of Hypothetically Speaking. And with your voice in the mix, it is closer to reality than ever.
Every advancement in our community begins with someone choosing to act. If you have asked yourself when the right time to get involved is—the answer might just be now.
🪩 A Call to Leadership
Leadership is not about ego. It is about service. It is about showing up, listening deeply, and making decisions that reflect the values of your community.
If you are considering running for office, here are three ways to begin:
• Volunteer with a civic group
• Apply to serve on a local board or commission
• Run for public office and lead the change
As Hillel the Elder once asked:
We believe the time is now. And we are here to help.
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Hypothetically Speaking is your weekly dispatch from Wisconsin’s heartland to America’s horizon. Every Friday, we explore the intersection of policy, people, and possibility—with columns that provoke thought, invite dialogue, and celebrate civic courage.
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🌐 Stay Engaged with the Rock County Civics Academy
Whether you are running for office or simply running errands, civic engagement is always within reach.
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🧠 Final Thought: Democracy Is a Skill. Achieving excellence necessitates ongoing practice.
Thanks for reading Hypothetically Speaking. If this sparked a thought, a concern, or a counterpoint—drop us a line. Civic dialogue is the heartbeat of local democracy.
Until next time, stay curious, engaged, and stay connected.
©2025 Rock County Civics Academy – All Rights Reserved.
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