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About
We believe all students can read, learn, and thrive when taught with proven, science-based approaches.
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Milwaukee stands at an inflection point. 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.
The solution is clear and evidence-based. Research shows that when early-grade educators receive high-quality, science-based reading instruction training and coaching, student outcomes improve dramatically.
We believe that by investing in teachers and aligning our work to key state priorities, including Act 20, we can build a sustainable system for reading success across Milwaukee.
Who We Are
Our cross-sector Coalition is working to ensure that teachers and school leaders across Milwaukee have access to consistent, high-quality professional development grounded in the science of reading.
This effort reaches more than 30,000 kindergarten through third-grade students in Milwaukee Public Schools, charter, and private schools, giving them the support they need to build strong foundational literacy skills.
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By joining together, we can create a path for every child in Milwaukee to read, learn, and thrive.
Why Teacher Education?
Students succeed when their teachers are supported. To achieve our goal, we must invest time and resources into the professional development of all kindergarten through third-grade educators in the City, training a universe of approximately 2000 teachers and school leaders.
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A new shared, citywide commitment to the foundational science of reading will bring fidelity, urgency and resources to help ensure we’re building literacy from the ground up, with consistency and quality.
Why Third Grade?
Third grade is a pivotal year in a child’s education. It’s when students are expected to make the crucial shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”
If students haven’t built strong reading skills by the end of third grade, they’re far more likely to fall behind in every subject starting in fourth grade, and often, never catch up.
How We'll Do It
The volunteer Coalition will establish a formal Commission that will be responsible for developing a plan and overseeing its implementation to ensure the effective teaching, coaching and curriculum of science-based reading for kindergarten through third-grade students.
The Commission will provide oversight, guidance and resources, and issue grants to Milwaukee schools to implement training programs.
The Commission’s goal is to be funded through both public and private sources to maximize impact and outcomes.