By July 1, 2025, all individuals employed as a 5K-grade 3 teacher or reading teacher will need to begin a reading training that is endorsed by the Center for Effective Reading Instruction as an accredited independent teacher training program. 

Brodhead School District educators will receive training in the following: 
Cox Campus Structured Literacy Program.

Cox Campus’s Structured Literacy Program is officially accredited by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) for meeting the Knowledge and Practice Standards (KPS) for teachers of reading.  

The Cox Campus Structured Literacy Program contains 11 courses that cover the IDA KPS and provide learners with critical knowledge for systematic and explicit implementation of Structured Literacy in the classroom.

New staff can be exempt from the above training with proof of completion of the program or an alternative approved program. 

2023 ACT 20 Requirements 

What type of early literacy instruction and intervention do schools need to provide?

Act 20 states that all Wisconsin schools are required to provide science-based early literacy instruction in both universal and intervention settings. Science-based early literacy instruction is defined as the following

Instruction that is systematic and explicit and consists of all the following:

• Phonological awareness

• Phonemic awareness

• Phonics

• Building background knowledge

• Oral language development

• Vocabulary building

• Instruction in writing

• Instruction in comprehension

• Reading fluency

See the Wisconsin Reads website for more information

*School boards retain the independent authority to select the early literacy instructional materials they will adopt and implement. Those instructional materials are required to meet the definition of “science-based early literacy instruction” found in Act 20.

*Act 20 does not require schools to change their curriculum. It does require schools to implement science-based early literacy instruction as defined in the statute and prohibits schools from implementing three-cueing instruction as defined in the statute.
 

Brodhead Implementation

Tier 1 Core ELA Curriculum: 

• Benchmark Advance, ©2022

  • Benchmark Advance is a comprehensive standards-based literacy program. It provides a cohesive framework for the development of literary skills and content knowledge, supporting high achievement for every student. The program builds strong foundations through explicit, systematic, spiraled instruction that is linked to contextualized practice, where learning is set. 

Tier 2 & Tier 3 Intervention Resources: 

• Benchmark Advance Phonics & Word Recognition

•  Benchmark Advance Fluency Intervention 

Benchmark Advance Interventions provide direct instruction of the Foundational Skills, Grades K–5. It offers reteaching and additional practice to reinforce instruction in the core program. Lessons that address the Foundational skills presented in previous grades are available as well, so that teachers can address the needs of students at each student’s instructional level—whether at/near grade level or below. 

• UFLI Foundations, University of Florida Literacy Institution

  • Foundations is an explicit and systematic phonics program that introduces students to the foundational reading skills necessary for proficient reading.  Foundations follows a carefully developed scope and sequence designed to ensure that students systematically acquire each skill needed and learn to apply each skill with automaticity and confidence. 

• Sonday Intervention System

  • Sonday System 1 offers structured, systematic, multisensory reading intervention for readers using proven Orton-Gillingham methods to provide effective intervention in small-group settings.

2023 ACT 20 Requirements 

4K Assessment:

• Students are to be assessed twice during the school year using a fundamental skills screening assessment selected by the DPI. The first is to be completed by the 45th school day and the second by 45 days before the end of the school year.

5K-3 Assessment:

• At least 3 universal screenings during the school year.

• The first must be before the 45th day of the school year, the second in the middle of the school year, and the third by 45 days left in the school year.

• Universal screenings must include phonemic awareness, decoding, alphabet knowledge, letter-sound knowledge and oral vocabulary.

A diagnostic assessment must be used when a universal screening assessment indicates a pupil is at risk (below 25th percentile). This occurs no later than the second Friday of November for the fall assessment or within 10 days after the 2nd universal screening. Diagnostic assessments must also be given within 20 days when a teacher or parent suspects a student has characteristics of dyslexia and submits a request.

Brodhead Implementation

Brodhead School District will implement the required early literacy assessments provided by the state:

• aimswebPlus

Brodhead School District will use the following diagnostic tools for 4K-3 students who indicate they are at risk and fall below the 25th percentile on the aimswebPlus early literacy assessment:

• aimswebPlus
• iReady

2023 ACT 20 Requirements 

If students are identified as at-risk on a universal screening assessment or diagnostic assessment, a personal reading plan must be created that includes:

• The specific early literacy skill deficiencies,

• Goals and benchmarks for the pupils progress toward grade-level literacy skills,

• How progress will be monitored, a description of interventions and additional instructional services being provided,

• The science-based reading programming the teacher will use,

• Strategies for the parent to support grade-level literacy skills, and any additional services available and appropriate.

Local education agencies (public schools and independent charter schools) will give parents a copy of the personal reading plan and provide progress updates after 10 weeks.

Brodhead Implementation

Brodhead staff will create a Personal Reading Plan for all qualifying students using NextPath. This plan will include all of the required information as stipulated in WI ACT 20. All plans will be shared with families.

2023 ACT 20 Requirements 

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

Brodhead Implementation

Third Grade Promotion and Retention: At Risk Students- po5411

Learn more about the support you can provide at home.

If your student has a Personalized Reading Plan, they are receiving targeted support in a specific area of literacy identified for continued growth. We encourage you to connect with your child’s teacher to learn more about this focus area and to explore resources for reinforcing that support at home.

Supporting your child’s reading at home is one of the most powerful ways to help them succeed in school and develop a lifelong love of learning. Set aside a quiet time each day to read together, allowing your child to choose books that interest them to make the experience enjoyable and engaging. Ask questions about the story, characters, and pictures to build comprehension and critical thinking. Encourage your child to read signs, labels, and menus to show how reading is a part of everyday life. Most importantly, be a reading role model—when children see adults reading, they understand its value. Your encouragement, patience, and praise will go a long way in building your child’s confidence and skills.

For a description of the common indicators and characteristics of dyslexia and information about interventions and accommodations for children with characteristics of dyslexia, click on the following link: Wisconsin’s Informational Guidebook on Dyslexia and Related Conditions