Wisconsin Lawmakers Pass Comprehensive Early Literacy Legislation  

“Today, Wisconsin leaders took decisive action by passing crucial early literacy policies that prioritize and invest in the state’s youngest learners. With solid implementation, every child can receive high quality instruction grounded in the science of reading and the proven literacy supports and resources they need for a lifetime of success.  

“We are grateful to Speaker Robin Vos, Senate Majority leader Devin LeMahieu, Rep. Joel Kitchens, Sen. John Jagler, Rep. Bob Wittke and Sen. Duey Stroebel for their leadership in championing early literacy. Their commitment to evidence-based approaches and strong policy will pave the way for students across Wisconsin to have a brighter future.” 

Highlights of AB321 include: 

• Establishing the Office of Literacy within the Department of Public Instruction.  
• Creating the Council on Early Literacy Curricula to recommend K-3 curricula and other instructional materials based in the science of reading.  

• Investing $50 million in curricula, teacher preparation programs and literacy coaches. 
• Requiring professional development training in structured literacy for public school teachers. 
• Banning outdated and harmful three-cueing instruction and requiring instructors to use science-based early reading instruction. 
• Prohibiting the Department of Public Instruction from issuing teacher licenses unless the applicant has successfully completed instruction that prepares them to teach reading based on the science of reading and not the three-cueing method. 
• Assessing the early literacy skills of students in 4-year-old kindergarten at least twice a year. 

• Assessing the early literacy skills of 5-year-old kindergarten through 3^rd grade students using a universal screener at least three times a year. 
• Notifying parents of the results of their children’s reading readiness assessments no later than 15 days after the scoring. 
• Providing struggling readers with intensive remedial services, including an annual summer reading program until they reach at least grade level proficiency. 
• Requiring personalized reading plans for struggling readers.