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Take Action: Tell DPI Milwaukee's children cannot afford more delays.
Milwaukee is facing a literacy crisis. Too many children are struggling to read proficiently, limiting their opportunities in school and beyond. We know what works: evidence-based instruction grounded in the science of reading and delivered by well-trained educators.
That's why the Milwaukee Reading Coalition has spent the last year building a citywide effort to train kindergarten through third-grade educators across Milwaukee's public, private and charter schools. The initiative is rooted in the principles of Act 20 and designed to ensure educators receive high-quality science-of-reading training with accountability and fidelity.
What Happened?
For more than a year, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) indicated there was a pathway to support this effort through existing literacy grant funding. Based on that guidance, the Coalition worked in good faith to pursue a public-private partnership that would expand science-of-reading training for Milwaukee educators.
In recent months, however, the Coalition encountered delays, contradictory guidance and limited responsiveness that made it increasingly difficult to move the initiative forward.
Seeking clarity, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson sent a formal letter to State Superintendent Jill Underly requesting immediate engagement on the release of literacy funding for the Coalition.
In response, Superintendent Underly asserted that DPI lacks the authority to support the initiative — a position that directly conflicts with guidance the Coalition previously received.
Milwaukee's Children Cannot Wait
We've let Superintendent Underly know that Milwaukee's kids can't wait. Our Coalition remains committed to working collaboratively with DPI and state leaders to ensure educators receive the training they need and students receive the instruction they deserve.
We believe the path forward is clear: use existing literacy funding to support proven, science-of-reading training for Milwaukee educators and give children the opportunity to succeed.
Tell DPI to re-engage with the Milwaukee Reading Coalition and to work collaboratively to support this vital effort.
Phone Call Script
Call: 888-245-2732
Hello, my name is [NAME], and I'm calling from [ORGANIZATION] to express that Milwaukee children and families deserve better from DPI in addressing the city's ongoing literacy crisis.
It's deeply concerning that DPI is not engaging with the Milwaukee Reading Coalition to support a scalable literacy effort aimed at improving literacy outcomes for students across Milwaukee.
I insist that DPI re-engage with the Milwaukee Reading Coalition and release existing literacy funds to improve reading outcomes.
Thank you.
Email Template
To: dpistatesuperintendent@dpi.wi.gov
Subject: Support for Milwaukee Reading Coalition – Request for DPI Engagement
Superintendent Underly and DPI Leadership,
I am writing to express that Milwaukee children and families deserve far more from DPI in tackling the city's urgent literacy crisis.
It is deeply concerning that DPI is not engaging with the Milwaukee Reading Coalition to support a scalable literacy effort aimed at improving literacy outcomes for students across Milwaukee.
I am calling on DPI to immediately re-engage with the Milwaukee Reading Coalition and to work collaboratively to support this vital effort, ensuring that existing literacy funds are utilized effectively to create a significant and lasting impact for students.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
[TITLE]
[ORGANIZATION]
Sample Social Media Posts
Milwaukee's literacy crisis has persisted for decades, and our children cannot afford another year of delays.
That's why the @Milwaukee Reading Coalition came together – to improve reading outcomes for children across our city.
After nearly a year of working with the @Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, DPI changed its position on supporting the effort.
The Coalition remains committed to collaborating to achieve meaningful results for our children. DPI should share this commitment.
Join me in encouraging DPI to reconnect with the Milwaukee Reading Coalition and continue this vital work for our community.
📞 888-245-2732
📧 Submit a complaint to DPI by visiting dpi.wi.gov/support/contact-general
For nearly a year, the @Milwaukee Reading Coalition has been working with the @Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to build a citywide literacy initiative grounded in the Science of Reading and aligned with Act 20.
Throughout that process, DPI repeatedly indicated there was a pathway to support this effort through existing literacy funding.
Now, after months of collaboration and planning, DPI has reversed course and says it lacks the authority to support the initiative.
The Coalition wants to ensure Milwaukee students get the opportunities they deserve. Let's encourage DPI to do the same by re-engaging with the Coalition.
📞 888-245-2732
📧 Submit a complaint to DPI by visiting dpi.wi.gov/support/contact-general
The @Milwaukee Reading Coalition has been diligently working over the past year in alignment with the guidance provided by the @Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Working alongside public, charter, and private schools, the Coalition built a citywide literacy initiative, secured philanthropic support, established the Milwaukee Reading Commission, and created a framework to expand science of reading training across Milwaukee.
Throughout that process, DPI indicated there was a pathway to support this work through existing literacy funding.
Now, DPI says it cannot support the effort it previously indicated could move forward.
Milwaukee's children deserve consistent support. Join me in reaching out to DPI and expressing the importance of re-engaging with the Milwaukee Reading Coalition to help advance this vital work.
📞 888-245-2732
📧 Submit a complaint to DPI by visiting dpi.wi.gov/support/contact-general