Rep. Nedweski champions resources for early literacy

Madison-On Wednesday, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed AB 321 – the Right to Read Act. This bill provides the framework for Wisconsin public, charter, and private schools participating in the choice program to transition to science-based reading instruction for grades K-3.

The Right to Read Act reflects months of collaboration among the bill’s authors, a wide range of stakeholders, and subject matter experts. Among those are: teachers, students, parents, school administrators, reading specialists, social workers, counselors, employers, the Department of Public Instruction, and representatives from states like Mississippi where science-based reading policy is already in place and proving to be successful. Several school districts in Wisconsin, such as New Berlin and Elmbrook, have already moved in this direction. Their testimony in support of the bill provided important insight as to how legislation can help move the state in a positive direction for literacy.

AB 321 also includes provisions for funding statewide literacy coaches, teacher training, and the necessary curriculum and materials to make this transition in reading instruction. Another key component of the bill is the implementation of universal reading assessments that will identify and diagnose struggles for young readers early in their learning process so that custom interventions can be put in place immediately with parents as partners in the process. $50 million has been earmarked in the state biennial budget to support the early literacy initiatives outlined in AB 321. The bill must still pass through the State Senate and be signed by Gov. Evers to become law.

In her maiden speech on the Assembly floor, Rep. Nedweski called on members for bipartisan support of the bill in saying, “Despite historic spending on education, the achievement gap is wider than ever. It’s high time we partner with public education to consider that the problem might not have been funding. It might just be that we were simply doing it wrong. AB 321 unites us today, as we come here not to place blame or point fingers, but to change course and to move forward with science-based reading instruction - together.”

Nearly 64% of Wisconsin students currently cannot read at grade level. An investment in literacy has the potential to positively impact crises the state is facing with mental health, participation in the workforce, incarceration rates, and fiscal dependence on government assistance.  In reference to her work as a co-author, Rep. Nedweski commented, “I’m grateful for the time and insight that educators and administrators in my district provided to help make the Right to Read Act something they can support and get behind. Their experience and expertise are essential in collaborating to build education policy that can realistically be embraced by the people who will actually be the ones doing the work to make positive change in the classroom.”