Wisconsin’s public schools are poised to adopt a phonics-based approach to reading instruction, as the state Assembly passed a bill on Wednesday to implement this change. The legislation also includes provisions for increased coaching and testing. This move comes as a recent report reveals that only one-third of Wisconsin fourth-graders are reading at a proficient level, the lowest literacy rate seen in the past two decades.
The bill, authored by Republicans, received support from Democratic Governor Tony Evers’ education department, although Evers himself has not yet endorsed it. Jill Underly, the secretary of the Department of Public Instruction, hailed the bill as a significant step in the right direction.
With both houses of the state Legislature under Republican control, the bill is expected to address the issue of low reading scores by introducing more frequent tests, coaching, and a curriculum that emphasizes phonics, the correlation between sounds and letters, over rote memorization. Republican Representative Joel Kitchens, one of the lead sponsors of the bill, sees this as an opportunity to tackle the current failing state of reading education.
Similar efforts to embrace phonics-based instruction have gained traction nationwide in response to learning setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wisconsin bill takes inspiration from literacy laws in Mississippi, which have resulted in significant improvements in reading scores over the past decade, earning the nickname “Mississippi miracle.”
Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress reveals that only around one-third of Wisconsin fourth-graders achieved proficiency in reading in 2022, representing a 20-year low. This alarming statistic further underscores the need for reform.
The bill’s accompanying image highlights a photograph of the Wisconsin Supreme Court building and captions it as a symbol representing the passing of an overhaul to the state’s public school reading infrastructure.
Initially, the Department of Public Instruction opposed the bill due to its requirement for low-scoring third-graders to repeat reading classes over the summer or during their fourth-grade year. However, this idea was modified in favor of placing these students in a remedial program with mandatory summer reading courses.
Despite general support from Democrats, many felt that the bill was being rushed, preventing them from fully comprehending its implications. However, Kitchens stressed the importance of avoiding delays that could jeopardize the agreement.
The bill garnered bipartisan support in the Assembly, passing with a vote of 67-27. It will now proceed to the state Senate for consideration before reaching Governor Evers, who will decide whether to sign or veto it.
If approved, the policy changes will affect both public schools and private institutions participating in state-funded school choice programs. Kindergarten through third-grade students will be required to complete three reading assessments per year, an increase from the current single assessment. Additionally, Republicans have already allocated $50 million to fund new curriculum materials, teacher training, and the hiring of reading coaches.
Last year, Evers vetoed a similar bill due to inadequate funding. His office is currently reviewing the latest changes to determine a course of action.
Despite these uncertainties, Kitchens expressed confidence in the bill’s future, citing the endorsement it has already received from the state education department.
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