Reading Education

"Reading is the fundamental skill that separates students who succeed in school from those who struggle. It is essential to daily living and the foundation for future learning and lifetime success."

To ensure high reading performance for all students, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction:

• Provides leadership and technical assistance to school districts related to the development, implementation, evaluation, and revision of reading curriculum and instruction
• Disseminates research on reading and learning for the refinement of curriculum and instruction and the improvement of reading performance
• Collaborates with national, regional, and state agencies and professional organizations having responsibilities in reading education
• Offers professional development opportunities to help educators improve the teaching of reading
• Provides leadership in teacher education programs in reading such as making recommendations for changes in reading certification and revising, expanding, and implementing changes in teacher education programs
• Evaluates the reading proficiency of Wisconsin students at grades 3-8 and 10
• Works with the Wisconsin Legislature to develop and interpret legislation and monitors Wisconsin reading legislation and policy

English Language Arts Wisconsin Model Academic Standards Revision Process

Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction is facilitating the revision of Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards in English language arts and mathematics. Below is an overview of this revision process.

Phase One:

The journey began with a review of existing standards and developing a blueprint for revising them. The recommendations came from leadership and design teams made up of Wisconsin educators, legislators, parents, and business representatives who examined academic standards with an eye for increasing the rigor and relevance of what students should know and be able to do in English language arts and mathematics.

Wisconsin’s unique effort sought critique and guidance from two national groups to ensure that the standards revisions align with workplace and postsecondary expectations. The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21)—comprised of 37 members, including technology, media, and other companies plus education organizations and 10 state departments of education—focuses on infusing broad learning, thinking, and life skills across all subject areas. The American Diploma Project (ADP) of Achieve Inc., created by the nation’s governors and business leaders, assists states in aligning their high school standards with national expectations to improve post-secondary and workforce preparation.

In accepting the blueprint and recommendations from the design team in June 2008, State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster said, “It is time for Wisconsin to revisit the model academic standards for English language arts and mathematics it adopted 10 years ago. These recommendations provide a blueprint for making revisions to our standards that will improve the transition of our students from high school to postsecondary education, work, and citizenship.”

Phase Two:

During the 2008-09 academic year, writing teams have been applying this blueprint to create specific revisions to the English language arts (ELA) and mathematics standards. The ADP/P21 design teams reviewed the high school standards. Their recommendation was to revisit the entire set of standards for ELA & Mathematics, PK-12.

In spring, the writing teams send the drafted revisions to reviewers with the American Diploma Project and in P21 partner states for their critical feedback. Also in spring and summer, the teams will solicit input from individuals, groups, and organizations across Wisconsin. Please continue to visit this site to get information on this critical review process as it is offered.

The timeline calls for the writing teams to finalize the revisions to the standards in English language arts and mathematics by the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.

For questions about this information, contact Jacqueline C. Karbon (608) 267-9268

Last updated on 4/22/2009 12:57:33 PM