Governor Walker In Greendale to Launch Reading Initiative

Wisconsin's governor and top education officials are sounding the alarm on elementary reading in the state.

Governor Scott Walker held a press conference on January 4 at in Greendale to announce a new statewide strategy to help struggling readers.

In April 2011, Walker created a task force of educators and legislators to find ways to deal with Wisconsin's stagnated growth in reading skills.

The report indicates that one third of Wisconsin students cannot read at a basic level and that two-thirds of all African-American students in the state cannot read at a basic level which is the lowest rate in the nation.

Today Walker released the "Read-to-Lead" task force's final report and said plans are already underway to implement its recommendations:

• The initiatives would include early literacy screening for all kindergarteners to identify and intervene with struggling students as soon as they enter school. It would also use YoungStar, the statewide childcare rating system to help identify and support struggling readers.

• It would also require new rigorous testing for reading educators and require that all new elementary teachers have a professional development plan that explicitly focuses on literacy.

• The task force recommendations would also require a portion of every educator's evaluation to be based on growth in statewide reading scores. Educators whose students continually  struggle in this area would be required to improve their performance. Districts and schools underperforming in reading will be required to implement targeted improvements including a science-based reading program.

• The report also aims to create a new private-public partnership to engage state businesses and philanthropic organizations in the program.

Walker said there is widespread support in the legislature for the program and that there is already $600K built into the annual state budget for screeners and to get the program started. Right now the rest of the items are recommendations at this point and will have to be part of future budget negotiations.

Walker was joined at the press conference by Dr. Tony Evers, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and task force members Representative Steve Kestell  (R-Elkhart Lake) and Senator Luther Olsen (R-Ripon).

Olsen said, "We are renewing our committment to every child in the state that they will be able to read at grade level by fourth grade. If they are behind at this point, they almost never catch up."

Walker added, "Research  shows that up to third grade, children are learning to read. From third grade and beyond, they need to be able to read to learn."

Walker said he chose Greendale as the place to make the announcement because of the school district's reputation of excellence in education.

Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) and Representative Jeff Stone (R-Greendale) were at the press conference as well as members of the Greendale School Board and district administrators.

The event was open only to credentialed members of the media and invited guests. After answering several questions from reporters, Walker was whisked away to his next appointment. As he was leaving the school, several protestors stood outside the building holding signs that read "Recall Walker."