In 2023, the Wisconsin State Legislature passed the Wisconsin Reading Instruction Act (known
as ACT 20) requiring school districts to move to a phonics-based approach to reading. Fifty-
million dollars was budgeted for early literacy development to provide partial reimbursement
to school districts for adopting state approved, research-based reading programs. While
school districts across Wisconsin have worked hard to implement ACT 20, the $50 million has
not been released by the Joint Finance Committee to provide schools with the promised
financial support. Attorney General Josh Kaul has asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear
the case on the Department of Public Instruction’s request for release of the $50 million.
What can YOU do?
- Call your school district and ask to speak with the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
Find out what reading program your school district has adopted and if it is an approved
program eligible for reimbursement. Ask for an estimate on the cost of implementation of the new reading program, including the cost of supplies/materials and the cost for teacher training. Ask what hardships have been created by not receiving the promised and budgeted funding from the state. - Call/email/write to your local legislators and share this information. Insist that the
Legislature take appropriate action and release these funds.
Need more information:
https://dpi.wi.gov/wi-reads/act-20-faq
https://www.wpr.org/news/kaul-wisconsin-supreme-court-dpi-50m-request-fund-reading-bill