Reading Proficiency

Now that the 2021-22 legislative session is technically over, I am shifting part of my focus to preparing bills to introduce during the next session.

One of my top priorities that I will continue to pursue is improving reading proficiency among our state's students. Wisconsin was once a national leader in literacy, but now our children are falling dangerously behind. 

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, close to 65 percent of fourth graders in Wisconsin are not proficient readers, with 34 percent failing to meet even basic standards.

Of the 42 states that report separate reading scores for African American students, Wisconsin ranks dead last in reading achievement, falling 31 places since 1992. During that same timeframe, reading achievement for white students has dropped from 6th to 27th and Hispanic students from 1st to 28th.

Research has shown that children who cannot read at grade level in fourth grade will struggle to graduate from high school and are far less likely to lead productive lives. About 85 percent of juvenile offenders are functionally illiterate, as are 70 percent of prison inmates. More than 75 percent of those on welfare have difficulties in reading the simplest texts.

I believe that part of the reason for our declining reading scores is the move from a phonics-based approach to whole word learning. While whole word learning works for some students, it can present more challenges for struggling readers, especially those with dyslexia.

Phonics education, also known as the science of reading, allows young students to develop their reading comprehension and decode new words as they read. With practice, this action becomes so automatic that they are able to easily understand the overall meaning of words while they are reading. 

Experts say that phonics education is one technique that can be incorporated into a complete, well-rounded reading program that encourages visual learners to recognize whole words by sight. It also creates opportunities for extensive reading and creative writing.

Many states across the county are including the science of reading in their literacy programs and the improvement that their students are seeing is rather impressive. I am proud to say that several of our local districts are adjusting their reading methods with similar results.

Unfortunately, while the neuroscience community overwhelmingly supports a phonics-based approach, many within the education establishment in Wisconsin have not been so open to change. So far, Gov. Evers has been supportive of the education establishment. Inroads are being made, however, and we will continue the fight next session.

Because the science of reading has proven to be so successful in other states, we need to look at ways to follow suit so our children do not fall even further behind. I cannot imagine anything more important to the future of Wisconsin. 

School Scorecard

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty has launched a school scorecard webpage where you can view information pertaining to individual school districts and the state as a whole.

Some of the scorecard's categories include per-pupil spending, academic proficiency, student enrollment, changes in school spending, graduation rates and ACT scores. 

The webpage also provides definitions for key terms and features a frequently asked questions section.

You can access the scorecard by clicking here.

Voter IDs

With the spring election right around the corner, the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles is issuing guidance on how to obtain an identification card required for voting.

Under Wisconsin state law, all voters must show an acceptable photo ID before casting a ballot. This includes voters at polling places and early voting locations.

Residents who wish to vote by mail must have a valid photo ID on file, unless they are indefinitely confined due to age, illness, disability or infirmity.

To learn more about how to secure an ID to vote, please click on this link.