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?

1. 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.
2. 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

On Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 6:30-7:30 PM, the Public Policy Committee will present our webinar, Fair Maps: We All Count. Every citizen should be able to exercise their right to vote for candidates that represent their communities of interest. Webinar panelists will talk about their organization’s work on the Fair Maps initiative. The Public Policy committee will highlight the Fair Maps Tool Kit they created for members. Committee members are available virtually for branch programs. Register in advance at: http://bit.ly/AAUW-WI-FairMapsWebinar.

Fair Maps Resources: 

• Download the Fair Maps Tool Kit from the AAUW-WI Public Policy Committee
• Watch the Recording of the webinar
• “Gerrymandering, Explained” (Video)
• Can You Hear Us Now? (documentary on gerrymandering in WI)
• People’s Map Commission: https://govstatus.egov.com/peoplesmaps
• Fair Maps Coalition: https://www.fairmapswi.com/ 

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for Public Policy Day 2020! If you weren’t able to attend, this year, here are the video recordings and speaker materials:

Night 1 (August 25, 2020)

• The Maps Mess in Wisconsin, Carlene Bechen, Fair Maps WI (PowerPoint | Video)
• The State of Public Education in Wisconsin, Denise Gaumer Hutchison, Wisconsin Public Education Network (PowerPoint | Video)

Night 2 (August 27, 2020)

• How to Become an Informed Voter and Educate Others, Matt Rothschild, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign (Video)
• GOTV During a Pandemic, Debra Cronmiller, League of Women Voters of WI (Video)
• Election In a Pandemic, Stephanie Malaney, AAUW-WI (PowerPoint | Video, 31 min. mark)

Public Policy Day is going virtual this year! No driving to the meeting; just sit at your computer or mobile device to hear some great speakers on key issues for our state, via Zoom.

We can agree that this November’s election has special importance. The persons elected to our State legislature will determine how redistricting will be handled. AAUW reminds us to be non-partisan and fair to ALL citizens. Majority parties should not be drawing districts behind closed doors. Legislators should not be picking their constituents; voters should be picking their legislators!

August 25, 2020, 6:30-8:30 pm

• Carlene Bechen from Fair Maps WI will discuss how fair redistricting has gained bipartisan support across the state and how we can assist in changing the way district maps are drawn.
• Denise Gaumer Hutchison of the Wisconsin Public Education Network (WPEN) will tell us how we can influence great public education without offering vouchers to private institutions.

August 27, 2020, 6:30-8:30 pm

• Matt Rothschild of The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign will discuss how to differentiate between “fake news” and “real facts,” how to become informed voters and educate others, and why absentee ballots are safe.
• Debra Cronmiller of League of Women Voters will discuss how to inform and encourage voting during a pandemic, and deal with sometimes cruel and bitter vitriol.
• Kate Nielson/Robin Lucas from AAUW National Headquarters will discuss suggested methods to Get Out The Vote (GOTV) and share what other branches/states are doing to talk about issues, not candidates.

Register for one or both sessions: bit.ly/aauw-wi-policy-day
Download the Public Policy Day 2020 Flyer

AAUW Wisconsin Public Policy Day
Sat. Nov. 2, 2109
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Madison Technical College
Truax Campus Health and Information Technology Building, Room 311
1705 Hoffman St., Madison, 53704
(608) 246-6065
Schedule of Events

If you have questions, please reach out to Stephanie Malaney, Public Policy Chair, at smalaney5@aol.com or (920) 740-9632.

2020 will be an important election year, so save the date and bring a team to AAUW WI’s Public Policy Day! This one-day training is an opportunity for members to learn how to become more active in the election process and advocate for AAUW policy issues. Please note: guests are welcome to attend this event. Those who can’t travel to Madison, will be able to join us through GoTo Meeting (details coming soon).

AAUW WI Public Policy Day
Saturday, November 2, 2019
9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
Madison Technical College, Truax Campus
1705 Hoffman St. | Madison, WI 53704
(608) 246-6065
Public Policy Day Info & Registration Form