Poverty affects student report cards - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

 MADISON (WKOW) -- A new study finds poor student report cards are strongly tied to poverty, especially for charter schools.

The report by the Forward Institute finds even public schools in low-income areas were less affected by poverty rates than non-traditional charter schools.

Based on the findings, the study recommends not tying assessments with direct consequences for schools or teachers.

State Senator Kathleen Vinehout says, "The only way that teachers can be evaluated on student performance, especially in areas of high poverty but really in every area, is if they are evaluated on the change that happens within their classroom."

Analysis of the study also calls for re-evaluation of charter school performance.