Horizon teachers outline how Wisconsin Act 20 changed reading instruction for grades 3–5

Horizon School Principal Christy Johnson told the Pewaukee School Board on Monday that the district’s response to Wisconsin’s Act 20 centers on science-aligned, phonics-based instruction and more frequent screening.

"This is a law that was passed by the state of Wisconsin in 02/2023," Johnson said, and it requires schools to use scientifically aligned reading practices and to screen students in 4K through third grade. When students fall below the 25th percentile on the screener, schools must follow with diagnostic assessments and a targeted reading plan.

Johnson and Horizon teachers described a multilayered approach the school is using. Across third, fourth and fifth grades Horizon administers AIMSweb screening in fall, winter and spring to identify students who need additional support. For third grade the school has adopted the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) program as its core word-study curriculum and completed UFLI professional development for third-grade teachers. Fourth and fifth grades are using a separate word-study program the presenters identified as "95 Core Phonics," and those teachers also completed structured-literacy training.

Third-grade teacher Lindsay Krieger described UFLI…