Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has enacted a significant bipartisan bill aimed at revitalizing reading instruction in the state. This new law, originally drafted by Republicans, emphasizes phonics-based learning, strengthening the connection between sounds and letters, rather than relying on memorization. The legislation mandates more frequent reading assessments and introduces reading coaches to provide targeted support for students struggling with literacy.

Governor Evers, a Democrat, expressed his support for the bill, stating its potential to equip students with essential reading skills for both academic and personal success. He highlighted the collaborative effort involved in refining the legislation, drawing inspiration from successful initiatives in other states.

While the initial version of the bill faced opposition from the Department of Public Instruction due to a provision requiring third-graders with low reading scores to repeat the grade, this requirement was later amended. The revised legislation now mandates that these students participate in a remedial program with compulsory summer reading courses. This collaborative effort between the department and Republican lawmakers spanned several months, ultimately resulting in a bill that garnered bipartisan support in both legislative chambers.

The urgency for reform stems from concerning statistics revealing that only about one-third of Wisconsin's fourth-graders achieved proficiency in reading in 2022, a two-decade low according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The new law addresses this challenge by increasing the frequency of reading tests for students in kindergarten through third grade from one to three annually. This increased testing aims to identify struggling readers earlier and provide timely intervention.

The scope of the new law encompasses both public schools and private schools participating in Wisconsin's school choice voucher program. A budget allocation of $50 million has been designated to support curriculum development, teacher training, and the recruitment of reading coaches. This financial backing addresses a previous concern raised by Governor Evers, who vetoed a similar bill last year due to insufficient funding.

Wisconsin's move towards phonics-based reading instruction reflects a growing national trend as policymakers grapple with learning setbacks attributed to the coronavirus pandemic. The state's legislation takes inspiration from Mississippi's literacy laws, often cited as the "Mississippi miracle" due to their positive impact on reading scores over the past decade.