WCRIS knows many choice schools are anxiously awaiting more guidance for 2023 Wisconsin Act 20, referred to as the Right to Read Act.
The DPI’s Early Literacy Council is close to producing a list of recommended curricula that will go to the state legislature for approval. It’s estimated that schools should have that list going into March.
We know that the council has selected at least two curricula for that list that would be eligible for 50% reimbursement from the grants included in the Right to Read Act. The number of officially recommended curricula could change as the legislature reviews the list.
It’s important to remember that if a certain curriculum isn’t on the list, that doesn’t mean it’s prohibited. It’s just not eligible for reimbursement. The only prohibited curricula are those that use three-cueing.
While the council is close to making its recommendations, the DPI also has asked the legislature for an extension for some of the act’s deadlines. The Superintendent of Public Instruction wrote in a letter last week that public and private schools “continue to convey genuine fear” about how to comply with impending deadlines.
Flexibility in some of these deadlines would buy time for the DPI to implement the act as intended and calm the waters for schools.
However, the bills that intend to make a few of these tweaks, like changing the deadline for the first student screener, still have to pass the legislature. It’s unclear how these recent bills would affect choice and private schools.
A hearing on the bills was held this week. There are still several legislative steps required for them to pass with few opportunities remaining for them to be voted on by the legislature. The outcome and scope of the proposed extension is uncertain at this time.
It’s also still unknown when the DPI will begin the process of writing administrative rules for the act.
WCRIS will continue to monitor the rollout of Act 20. We are hopeful for more definitive updates soon so our affected choice schools can plan accordingly. Please stay tuned to Current Events.
