The School District of Beloit DataTool
What is the SDB DataTool?
Produced by the statewide nonpartisan, independent policy research organization Wisconsin Policy Forum, the SDB DataTool is a website that presents unbiased data on the School District of Beloit to provide a comprehensive look at how the district is functioning. This new tool was modeled after a similar one WPF developed for the Sheboygan Area School District. Unveiled on December 18, 2024, Beloit’s project was funded by the BPL Foundation and Hendricks Family Foundation and was created in partnership with the School District of Beloit.
The SDB DataTool compares Beloit data to nine peer school districts that have similar enrollment levels (1,900-20,000 students), makeup of economically disadvantaged students (at least 54% economically disadvantaged), and rely heavily on state aid (at least 55% of their revenue). Comparable districts include Green Bay Area Public Schools, Manitowoc Public School District, Menasha Joint School District, Racine Unified School District, School District of Cudahy, School District of Janesville, School District of South Milwaukee, Sheboygan Area School District, and West Allis-West Milwaukee School District. It also compares Beloit data to nine local school districts including Beloit Turner, Clinton, Delevan-Darien, Edgerton, Evansville, Janesville, Milton, Parkview, and The Lincoln Academy.
How Do I Access the SDB DataTool?
Anyone with a computer or smart phone and access to the internet can access the tool. Click the SDB DataTool button below to access the SDB DataTool on the Wisconsin Policy Forum website. Please note that the site is best viewed on a desktop computer and may not properly appear on a mobile device.
Why Did the Library Create this Tool?
Like many school districts, the School District of Beloit is facing challenges. Data is needed for our community to understand where the pain points are in order for individuals and organizations to know what type of help is needed and how we can work together to affect positive change. While much of the data in the SDB DataTool is reported to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, that data is not easily accessible nor is it easily understood by the general public. This new tool provides the information in a way that is easy to understand. By creating a tool that is not only accessible but understandable, we can help to combat misinformation and provide objective information so that our community’s conversations are productive and beneficial, as opposed to argumentative and futile.
Who Paid for this Project?
Beloit’s SDB DataTool project was funded by the Beloit Public Library Foundation and Hendricks Family Foundation and was created in partnership with the School District of Beloit. We thank these sponsors for their generosity and for understanding the value this tool will bring to our community.
Want to Learn More?
The library unveiled this new tool at a special presentation of The Civics Academy, the library’s lunch-and-learn series aimed at engaging residents with their local government through a variety of local topics. Click the link below to watch and listen as Wisconsin Policy Forum’s President Jason Stein and Deputy Research Director Sara Shaw present the tool, show how to use it, dive into some of the data, and help the public understand the findings.
View the Recorded Presentation from the Unveiling of the SDB DataTool
View the Presentation Slides from the Unveiling of the SDB DataTool
Ready to dive in?
Click the button below to access the SDB DataTool on the Wisconsin Policy Forum website. Please note that the site is best viewed on a desktop computer and may not properly appear on a mobile device.