In a bold initiative to address literacy challenges among young learners, a coalition of 86 organizations in Milwaukee has pledged to ensure that all children read at grade level by the end of third grade within three years. This ambitious plan seeks to tackle the fact that fewer than 10 percent of K-3 students in both public and private schools in Milwaukee currently meet reading benchmarks.
The newly established Milwaukee Reading Coalition plans to achieve this by focusing on the professional development of educators. The coalition will provide extensive training for kindergarten to third-grade teachers, equipping them with science-based reading instruction techniques.
Howard Fuller, an experienced educator and co-chair of the coalition, stated, “Reading proficiency among kindergarten through third grade students is unacceptably low, and that reality carries long-term consequences for the future of our youth and our city.” He emphasized that research supports the idea that quality training can significantly enhance student outcomes.
The coalition, co-chaired by JoAnne Anton of Herb Kohl Philanthropies and former MPS board member Mark Sain, is supported by philanthropic entities such as Herb Kohl Philanthropies and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. It also received a grant from the MKE 2024 Host Committee. Additional public and private funding will be sought to further the cause.
Funds will be allocated for purchasing educational materials and providing $1,500 stipends to teachers who complete the training. Principals will also undergo training to ensure the successful implementation of these new teaching methods.
Fuller criticized current state funding for reading coaches, arguing that without proper teacher training, these resources are ineffective. He mentioned a forthcoming bill intending to redirect funds from the 2023 Act 20 to the coalition.
MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius expressed gratitude for the coalition’s support, aligning it with the district’s new literacy strategy that aims for comprehensive literacy instruction from the outset, as stated on their website. MPS is providing 40 hours of intensive training to educators to bolster their understanding of reading sciences.
Gabriela Bell Jiménez, recently appointed as the academic superintendent for literacy, will spearhead these efforts, drawing on her experience from the Madison Metropolitan School District where literacy rates are significantly higher.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson highlighted the initiative’s potential to mitigate economic disparities through improved literacy, stating, “By investing in the professional development of teachers and principals, we can build a sustainable system for reading success across Milwaukee.”
