Early Literacy

Wisconsin Act 20

Wisconsin Act 20, also known as Wisconsin's Right to Read Act, mandates that all Wisconsin schools must offer evidence-based early literacy education to students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. This encompasses teaching phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, phonics, oral language development, vocabulary expansion, writing skills, comprehension, and reading fluency. Additionally, Act 20 directs school districts to transition from a "balanced literacy" approach to a "science of reading" approach, which prioritizes phonics instruction.

Act 20 states that students in 4K must be evaluated on phonemic awareness and letter sound knowledge. Act 20 also states that students in 5K through grade 3 must be evaluated on phonemic awareness, decoding skills, alphabet knowledge, letter sound knowledge, and oral vocabulary. In the Verona Area School District, evaluation is done within the MLSS framework. Screening, diagnostic assessment and progress monitoring of students is conducted and evaluated by building MLSS teams. Based on criteria set out by Act 20, students in need of additional support are identified and given a Reading Plan that describes additional support needed. For additional information about VASD's reading screeners, diagnostic assessments, and reading plan information, please click here.

Skills for Early Reading

Word Reading
Phonological Awareness
Phonics and Decoding
Sight Recognition
Fluency (prosody, expression, rate)

Language Comprehension
Oral language
Vocabulary
Background knowledge

Explicit and systematic instruction in these areas support text comprehension.

*Act 20 states that all Wisconsin schools are required to provide science-based early literacy instruction in both universal and intervention settings.

10 Things You Can Do to Raise a Reader

By: Reading Rockets

1. Read from day one. Start a reading routine in those very first days with a newborn. Even very young babies respond to the warmth of a lap and the soothing sound of a book being read aloud.

2. Share books every day. Read with your child every day, even after he becomes an independent reader.

3. Reread favorites. Most children love to hear their favorite stories over and over again. Rereading books provides an opportunity to hear or see something that may have been missed the first time, and provides another chance to hear a favorite part.

4. Send positive messages about the joys of literacy. Your own interest and excitement about books will be contagious!

5. Visit the library early and often. Public libraries are great resources for books, helpful advice about authors and illustrators, story times, and more. Make visiting the library part of your family’s routine.

6. Find the reading and writing in everyday things. Take the time to show your child ways that adults use reading and writing every day. Grocery lists, notes to the teacher, maps, and cooking all involve important reading and writing skills.

7. Give your reader something to think and talk about. There are many different types of books available to readers. Vary the types of books you check out from the library, and seek out new subjects that give you and your reader something to think and talk about.

8. Talk, talk, talk. A child’s vocabulary grows through rich conversations with others. No matter your child’s age, narrate what you’re doing, talk in full sentences, and sprinkle your conversations with interesting words.

9. Know your stuff. Parents don’t need to be reading specialists, but it is important to understand the basics about learning to read.

10. Speak up if something doesn’t feel right. Parents are often the first ones to recognize a problem. If you have concerns about your child’s development, speak with your child’s teacher and your pediatrician. It’s never too early to check in with an expert.