Wisconsin’s Read to Lead Initiative NGA Building State Systems

Today’s Presenters Governor’s Office: Kimberly Liedl Department of Public Instruction: Sue Grady Department of Children and Families: Elaine Richmond

Wisconsin Strong support for Early Childhood: 99% of districts with full day 5-year-old kindergarten 86% of districts with part day four-year-old kdg. No waiting lists for child care subsidy Newly implemented Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) - YoungStar Head Start State Supplement Growing home visitation initiative History of collaboration continues through Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Committee

Read To Lead Task Force Background and Purpose WI ranked 30 th in 2009 on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 4 th grade reading assessment. WI has declined since our 3 rd place ranking in By 4th grade, children are no longer learning to read, but reading to learn. The Read to Lead Task Force was a bipartisan effort to ensure WI students have the crucial skills they need to excel in life – the ability to read.

Wisconsin Read to Lead Task Force Governor Scott Walker, Chair State Superintendent Tony Evers, Vice Chair State Legislators – Senate and Assembly Greater Milwaukee Foundation International Dyslexia Association Current and retired educators Wisconsin Literacy Representative Wisconsin Reading Coalition Wisconsin State Reading Association Wisconsin Value Added Research Center

Task Force Major Activities Met monthly for 5 months Assisted by outside experts on reading, early childhood, etc Guided by professional facilitators Issued report in January 2012 with policy and practical recommendations Formed the basis for legislation (WI Act 166) and future budget initiatives

Screening Assessment and Intervention (DPI) Teacher Preparation and Professional Development (DPI) Early Childhood Development (DCF) Public–Private Partnership (GO) Potential Future Initiatives (GO) 7 Major Recommendations

Screening for Reading in Kindergarten Phase in PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening) starting in 5K using budget funds ($800,000). Implement in four-year-old kindergarten as funding is available Implement a comprehensive early childhood screener if Wisconsin wins Race to the Top. Otherwise explore options for future implementation.

Teacher Preparation Revise teacher licensure test with the MTEL for new K-5 and special education teachers Strengthen literacy requirements for teacher preparation programs Improve teacher preparatory programs by reviewing the performance of recent graduates Make performance of teacher preparation programs publicly available

Professional Development Summit on best practices Online professional development portal Focus on reading specialists: Evaluate current compliance with district requirement to have a reading specialist on staff, encourage more districts toward the intent of the law: 1 FTE on staff

Early Childhood- YoungStar Program Approach 5 star system to rate early childhood programs Uses evidence-based criteria to rate programs programs out of 6,608 regulated programs have been rated since January 1, 2011 Required for programs that receive Wisconsin Shares Provides targeted technical assistance to providers to improve child care quality Offers access to micro-grants to improve quality and to educational scholarships and retention bonuses to retain qualified staff

YoungStar Literacy Components Offers a wide range of infant and toddler pre-literacy training Developed a page of literacy resources for parents Emphasizes literacy components of Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) in training of providers Promotes family literacy as part of family engagement strategy Demonstrates connections between literacy in health and wellness components of YoungStar Considering additional literacy criteria for rating

The Read to Lead Development Council A public-private partnership will be created to provide financial and in-kind support for reading initiatives throughout the state. The Superintendent and Governor will jointly decide the size of grants based on recommendations from board members. Non-state employee members will assist in growing the fund’s reach. Funding might support afterschool programs, parent outreach, private reading initiatives, and teacher professional development efforts.

Expanding Read to Lead’s Reach The Department of Natural Resources: Created a literacy program for state parks

Other Agency Initiatives The Department Of Tourism Created the WI Literary Tour

Future Efforts Future expansion of literacy screening Exploration of comprehensive kindergarten assessment Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge (RTTT- ELC) may present additional opportunities Incorporate with broader Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) literacy efforts

Resources Read to Lead Report: Read to Lead Legislation Read to Lead website Read Wisconsin: Resources for Parents and Educators YoungStar literacy resources for parents Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council Report DNR Information - Tourism –