Wisconsin enacts sweeping changes to early literacy requirements

In a recent government meeting, significant changes to early literacy requirements in Wisconsin were discussed, prompted by the enactment of Wisconsin Act 20. This legislation mandates that all schools administer the STAR Early Literacy Readiness Assessment for students in K4, K5, and first and second grades. Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, schools will be required to identify students scoring below the 25th percentile as at risk, monitor their progress weekly, and involve parents in intervention planning after ten weeks.

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will also be tasked with publishing data from reading screeners in school performance reports. The meeting highlighted the challenges posed by Act 20, particularly its extensive requirements without accompanying funding. Educators expressed concerns about the implications of the act, which emphasizes phonics-based reading instruction while limiting other methods that may benefit English language learners.

Additionally, the meeting addressed Act 95, which guarantees admission to all Wisconsin University System schools for students graduating in the top 5% of their class. Schools will be required to notify these students and include their rankings on transcripts by the end of their junior year, starting with the 2025-2026 academic year. The committee recommended updating graduation plans to reflect these new requirements, ensuring that students and families are adequately informed.

The discussions underscored the need for clarity and compliance as schools navigate these legislative changes, with a focus on maintaining educational standards while addressing the diverse needs of students.