The Wisconsin Early Literacy Curriculum Council released its list of four recommended curricula that would be eligible for up to 50% reimbursement under 2023 Wisconsin Act 20 (“Right to Read Act”) late last week.
As required by the law, the list was submitted to specific members of the legislature to review before it’s finalized.
The council’s four recommendations are:
- CKLA by Amplify;
- EL by Open Up Resources;
- Wit and Wisdom with Geodes and Really Great Reading;
- Bookworms by Open Up Resources.
Please note that this is not the official list as it still needs to be approved by the legislature.
According to the council’s letter, it thoroughly reviewed 14 curricula. There are additional “partial submissions” that the DPI will continue to review.
To learn more about the council’s process and rubric used to review curricula, read its letter here.
This is all WCRIS knows for now.
To help guide our advocacy, WCRIS has created its own literacy council, made up of private school literacy experts and leaders. The WCRIS Literacy Council will be especially helpful when the DPI begins releasing administrative rules for the Right to Read Act. Until then, our council is standing ready to help WCRIS help its members understand the complexities of the act’s requirements.
From the beginning, WCRIS has opposed additional regulations on choice and private schools. This act marks the beginning of government encroachment on choice schools’ curricula.
While we await the legislature’s response to the recommended curricula, please keep the following in mind:
- The Right to Read Act covers public, charter and choice schools. Non-choice private schools aren’t listed in the law;
- The act targets literacy instruction in grades K-3;
- Schools don’t have to use one of the recommended curricula. But under the act, schools can’t incorporate three-cueing in their core reading curriculum or supplemental materials for grades K-3, beginning in the 2024-25 school year;
- Schools that adopt a curriculum from the finalized recommendation list will be eligible for up to 50% reimbursement of the cost of purchasing that curriculum, according to the law.WCRIS isn’t aware of any more information regarding the grants or how schools will have to apply.
We know many of our schools are trying to plan for the next school year. WCRIS encourages your school to try to wait for the approved list before making early literacy curriculum decisions. It’s estimated that the official list will be available in March.
WCRIS will send updates as they’re available. Please contact WCRIS with any questions.
