Walker unveils plans for reading instruction

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — All students entering kindergarten would be screened to see how well they can read, and teachers will receive more rigorous instruction and be held to higher standards for teaching reading under a series of recommendations released Wednesday.

Gov. Scott Walker and state Superintendent Tony Evers announced the recommendations of the Read to Lead task force Walker created in March.

Walker and Evers call the recommendations an “aggressive plan to improve reading outcomes in Wisconsin.”

As part of the plan, the state will be making more professional development resources available through the Department of Public Instruction website.

Walker says the Legislature will also be asked to approve creating a public-private partnership to engage philanthropies and businesses with the goal of making sure all students can read by third grade.