Report submitted to legislature last week
MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction last week released a report on early literacy assessment data, as required under 2023 Wisconsin Act 20, highlighting the strong commitment among schools and districts statewide in implementing the new requirements and strengthening student literacy outcomes.
The Report on Assessment Data, submitted by the DPI to the Wisconsin State Legislature on Nov. 28, contains information about the number of students scoring below the 25th percentile on the required early literacy screener and information about how those students responded to instruction.
“This first report provides us with a baseline, showing where students performed in a standardized assessment given at one point in time,” State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said. “These data are critical in helping schools guide instruction and intervention — not to define a student’s potential.”
According to Act 20, students scoring below the 25th percentile on the reading screener require additional support, including a personal reading plan. The report includes district-, school-, and grade-level data — for 4K through third grade — on screening, diagnostic assessments, and personal reading plans.
The report highlights full participation among school districts and independent charter schools in completing early literacy screening in Act 20’s first year of implementation. The achievement underscores districts’ commitment to improving early literacy outcomes, despite significant delays by the legislature in releasing initial funding intended to support compliance with the law.
“School districts have already demonstrated their strong commitment to this effort, and I am encouraged by how fully they embraced the work from day one,” Dr. Underly said. “With time and a sustained investment in strengthened classroom instruction and, as needed, additional reading support, we can move steadily toward our goal of making sure every Wisconsin child excels at reading by the end of third grade.”
Initial funding was recently paid to eligible districts for professional development and training requirements, and to districts and private schools participating in a Private School Choice Program for partial curriculum reimbursement.
Required by state law, the DPI submits an annual report to the legislature by Nov. 30. More information about the implementation of Act 20 is available on the DPI’s website.
