Leila Fletcher and Sandy Flores Ruiz

We are concerned that Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction seems less than committed to the reforms outlined in Act 20. It’s been over a year since Gov. Tony Evers signed Act 20, dubbed “the reading bill.”

Act 20 looks to address our state’s dismal reading scores with science-based literacy instruction. Legal and bureaucratic snags have slowed progress. But despite delays, ACT 20 remains a ray of hope for this generation of kids.

According to some literacy experts and proponents of science of reading, Wisconsin DPI is choosing the wrong side of history. In her State of Education address at the Capitol, DPI superintendent Jill Underly steered clear of specifics about reading. She didn’t say supporting Act 20 and the science of reading was a priority.

DPI seems more focused on other things. Underly has faced heated criticism after announcing new labels for the proficiency categories used in statewide tests. DPI then lowered the cut scores associated with the new categories, effectively lowering academic standards.

In a recent story in The Capital Times, education reporter Kayla Huynh reports on DPI’s changes to the Wisconsin Forward Exam and how it’s scored. Some education advocates see lowered expectations for student achievement and unnecessary changes that make it difficult to measure student progress year over year.

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Legislation and Reading: The Wisconsin Experience 2004-

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The data clearly indicate that being able to read is not a requirement for graduation at (Madison) East, especially if you are black or Hispanic”

My Question to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Teacher Mulligans and our Disastrous Reading Results

2017: West High Reading Interventionist Teacher’s Remarks to the School Board on Madison’s Disastrous Reading Results 

Madison’s taxpayer supported K-12 school district, despite spending far more than most, has long tolerated disastrous reading results.

“An emphasis on adult employment”

Wisconsin Public Policy Forum Madison School District Report[PDF]

WEAC: $1.57 million for Four Wisconsin Senators

Friday Afternoon Veto: Governor Evers Rejects AB446/SB454; an effort to address our long term, disastrous reading results

Booked, but can’t read (Madison): functional literacy, National citizenship and the new face of Dred Scott in the age of mass incarceration.

When A Stands for Average: Students at the UW-Madison School of Education Receive Sky-High Grades. How Smart is That?