Sun Prairie educators implement Act 20 literacy training and universal screening requirements

During the recent Sun Prairie Area School District School Board meeting, significant progress on 4K–12 literacy programming was highlighted, particularly in relation to Wisconsin's Act 20. This legislation mandates enhanced literacy instruction and assessment practices across the state, and the district is actively implementing its requirements.

Key discussions centered on the extensive training provided to elementary site leaders, instructional coaches, and reading teachers. Over the past school year, these educators participated in six training sessions to align with Act 20's standards. Additionally, all K-5 educators began utilizing the Cox Campus platform for professional development, which commenced in December. The district has allocated time during professional development days for teachers to engage in this asynchronous learning, with plans for continued training over the summer, allowing educators to earn professional advancement hours.

A crucial aspect of Act 20 involves communication with parents and caregivers regarding student progress. The district has established a system where results from universal screenings are shared within 15 days of assessment completion. Parents can access their child's progress through the Next Path platform, which also provides information on personalized reading plans for students who score at or below the 25th percentile.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing development of a promotion policy for students transitioning from third to fourth grade, which is still in progress. The district aims to present this policy to the school board by July to ensure compliance with Act 20.

Furthermore, the district has successfully posted its early literacy remediation plan on its website, demonstrating proactive compliance with the law. A notable financial aspect discussed was the partial reimbursement grant available for instructional materials that meet Act 20 standards. The district has submitted a claim for nearly $650,000, pending approval from the state’s Joint Finance Committee.

The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude towards the community for its support and the dedication of educators in improving student outcomes. The district emphasized that while compliance with Act 20 is important, the ultimate goal is to enhance literacy education and equity for all students. As the district continues to implement these initiatives, the focus remains on fostering a positive trajectory in literacy achievement.