Evers signs bill funding state’s new early literacy program

MADISON, Wis. (Civic Media) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed three bills into law on Thursday, including one that will fund the state’s new early literacy program.

The program, created by 2023 Wisconsin Act 30, formed the Wisconsin Reading Center at the state’s Department of Public Instruction and founded a literacy coaching program.

Act 30 also created grants covering half the cost of curriculum and instructional materials, changed the way educators are shown how to teach reading, and banned the use of so-called “three cueing” methods in teaching reading.

Evers’ signing of Senate Bill 971 into Wisconsin Act 100 adds funding indefinitely to the literacy programs.

In signing the bill, Evers partially vetoed measures that would create ongoing per-pupil increases to private, charter, or virtual schools, eliminated the 2028 end date for funding, and removed language limiting what the funding could be used for.

“Doing what’s best for our kids means making sure our kids have the reading and literacy tools and skills to be successful both in and out of the classroom, as is improving reading and literacy outcomes for kids across our state,” Evers said in his veto statement. “I am hopeful that the department and the Joint Committee on Finance will work quickly to release funding to support the important work of improving reading and literacy outcomes for our kids.”

Another bill, now Act 98, changes an investment program at the Department of Administration, while Act 99 increases non-resident crossbow and archer licenses by $35 to $197.25.