Each year, DPI invites districts and schools to submit a brief narrative statement for the front page of their report cards. The narrative statement is a short, optional overview that allows you to share insights beyond the report card data, such as your school’s mission, new or ongoing initiatives, descriptions of district/school culture or curriculum, or other noteworthy characteristics.
To view your previous narrative statements or see examples from other districts or schools, visit Public Report Card app and open the first page of any prior school or district report card. The narrative statement is a 400-character text box on the top right of the front page of the school and district report card, an example screenshot of where this appears is included below:
2025 Narrative Statement Collection - Timeline and Updates
OEA has been working to streamline the collection process and make it easier for district staff to submit the narrative statements for the report card. New for the 2024-25 report cards, if a narrative statement was submitted last year, it will automatically carry over to the 2024-25 report cards. If no changes are made by a school or district, last year’s statements will appear as-is on this year’s report cards. You will have the option to edit, add, or delete statements annually via an application, the School Directory Management Portal, found within WISEhome. As always, narrative statements will appear in the fall preliminary secure release for your review prior to the public release.
Timeline: due Friday September 5th, 2025
The last day to update narrative statements within the School Directory Management Portal is Friday September 5th, 2025. The narrative statements in the School Directory Management Portal as of September 5th will be included in the fall preliminary secure release of report cards.
Access to the Submission Application
To access the Narrative Statement Submission Application within the School Directory Management Portal:
- Log in to WISEhome.
- Select the “School Directory” Application tile - if you do not have this tile, please see the application request instructions in the Application Request Instructions section below.
- Some access credentials will see two additional pages: if you have broader access to the School Directory Management Portal, you will see a welcome page, click “Home Page” on this screen:
Then, on the Home Page, you will need to click into the Narrative Statement tile. If you do not have access to this tile, please see the application request instructions in the Application Request Instructions section below:
- Read the instructions and notes page (all levels of access credentials will see this page). After you click “Start Narrative Statement”, you can return to the instructions page by clicking the “WI School Directory Management” on the top left ribbon.
- Click “Start Narrative Statement” to access the editing portal.
- Follow the instructions to review, edit, or delete your statement by the deadline.
Application Request Instructions
You will need to have access to the School Directory Management Portal and the Narrative Data Entry Role within WISEhome:
- Log in to WISEhome.
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Click “Request Access” in the top purple ribbon, and
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Request Access to the School Directory Application through your LEA’s Application Security Manager. In the Comments Section, add that you need access to the “Narrative Data Entry Role”. This is a limited permission set that your District Security Administrator will need to add to your profile so that you can view and edit your narrative statements.
- Your district’s District Security Administrator for WISEhome will need to approve your access request. When that is granted, you will be able to access the School Directory Management Portal and the Narrative Statement Collection Portal.
If you have any questions about the narrative statement collection, please reach out to ReportCardHelp@dpi.wi.gov. If you have issues gaining access to the Narrative Statement Collection Portal, please open a WISE Help Ticket for the School Directory.