Act 20
Required Reading Training
To ensure full compliance with Wisconsin ACT 20, all staff will be required to participate in training sessions by July 1, 2025. This training will focus on key areas outlined in the act, including:
1. Phonemic awareness
2.Decoding skills
3.Alphabet knowledge
4. Letter-sound knowledge
5. Oral vocabulary
6. Rapid naming
7. Phonological awareness
8. Word recognition
9. Spelling
10. Vocabulary
11. Listening comprehension
12. Oral reading fluency and reading comprehension (when developmentally appropriate)
After reviewing available training options, the district has selected Keys to Literacy, which includes approximately 36 hours of training to be completed throughout the school year. This training is mandatory as we strive to maintain the highest standards of education and support the well-being of our students. This training will begin during the 2024-2025 school year.
Curriculum and Instruction
Schools in Wisconsin are required to provide science-based early literacy instruction in both universal and intervention settings, as outlined by Act 20. This instruction must be systematic and explicit, encompassing phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, phonics, background knowledge, oral language development, vocabulary, writing, comprehension, and reading fluency. School boards have the authority to select the instructional materials they use, but these materials must align with the science-based early literacy definition in Act 20. The law does not mandate a curriculum change but specifies the type of instruction to be implemented. Additionally, Act 20 prohibits the use of three-cueing instruction as defined in the statute.
Assessments
Early Literacy Screener
The Statewide 4K Fundamental Skills Screening Assessment, utilizing Pearson aimswebPLUS, focuses on evaluating phonemic awareness and letter-sound knowledge. Parents and caregivers can expect to receive a notification letter within 15 days following the completion of the statewide early literacy screener. Reports will be sent twice a year, in the fall and spring. The schools will send letters home in the preferred language.
The Statewide 5K-3 Universal Screener, which uses Pearson aimswebPLUS, evaluates key literacy skills such as phonemic awareness, letter-sound knowledge, alphabetic knowledge, decoding, and oral vocabulary. Parents and caregivers will receive a notification letter within 15 days following the completion of the screener. Detailed reports will be provided three times annually—in the fall, winter, and spring. Schools will send these letters home in the preferred language of the caregiver.
Diagnostic Tools
Diagnostic assessments will be given to students who score 24th percentile or below on the universal screener or who are referred for further evaluation by a teacher or parent/caregiver.
The School District of Howards Grove has selected the i-Ready Assessment Suite as its diagnostic reading tool. For students in grades K-3, the district will use a combination of the i-Ready Diagnostic and i-Ready Learning Tasks to complete the diagnostic within 10 days after the screener. Results will be sent home after the completion of the diagnostic.
Family Notification and Communication
Letters will go home to all 4K-3 students informing them of the screener and purpose of the screener. This letter includes a description of the literacy skills measured on the reading readiness screener. Any student considered “at risk” will receive a letter with a Personal Reading Plan (PRP). This plan should be reviewed, signed, and returned to your child’s teacher.
Personal Reading Plans
A Personal Reading Plan (PRP) will be created to support each student's reading progress. This plan includes:
A goal for your student
A progress monitoring strategy
A specific action plan
The PRP may also add research-based reading supports alongside grade-level instruction. Additionally, the plan includes:
A summary of early reading programs used
Assessment data and overall reading analysis
Student goals and support strategies
Additional services to boost reading skills
Recommendations for culturally relevant learning
Families will receive a copy of the PRP by the third Friday in November or within 10 days if a new assessment is requested. Updates on progress will be provided every 10 weeks. Educlimber is used to house these plans. Your child’s classroom teacher or the reading interventionist are available to discuss any questions or concerns upon your request.
Promotion Policy
Schools must have a policy for promotion from 3rd to 4th grade, based on a DPI model policy, by July 1, 2025. This would go into effect Sept 1, 2027.
Early Literacy Remediation Plan
Beginning in the school year 2024-2025, Wisconsin public schools, independent charter schools, and schools participating in the choice program are required to develop an Early Literacy Remediation Plan for grades 5K-3 and publish it to the district or independent charter school’s website. Below you will find the School District of Howards Grove’s Remediation Plan.
School District of Howards Grove Early Literacy Remediation Plan
