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June 25, 2025
It’s time to release the funding
On June 25, the Wisconsin State Supreme Court ruled that Governor Evers’ vetoes on Act 100 exceeded his authority, leaving the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) responsible for taking immediate action to release $49 million for strengthening early reading.
Since Wisconsin Act 20 was signed in July 2023, each of Wisconsin's youngest students has had more access than ever to high-quality early literacy instruction delivered by expert educators. We have seen a tremendous effort and the significant local financial contributions districts and independent charter schools have made to strengthen early literacy learning.
The state Supreme Court ruling does still allow an opportunity for schools to access the desperately needed $49 million for early literacy, if the JCF chooses to do so. It is time to release the funding. The department will continue to advocate that the JCF release the funding that was set aside for implementation of Act 20. Through this action, the JCF will fulfill the promise made to Wisconsin schools and students.
Dr. Jill Underly, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, issued a statement on the ruling: “It’s time to release the almost $50 million our schools were promised to help improve reading for kids. Schools invested based on the promise of funding and it’s time that promise is upheld. The plan I’ve submitted to the Joint Committee on Finance gives us the roadmap.”
Wisconsin educators, parents/caregivers, and schools will continue to ensure every Wisconsin child is a reader.
The DPI has requested that the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) take immediate action—before July 1, 2025—to appropriate the funds and implement Act 100.
If the Joint Committee on Finance chooses not to take prompt action to release the funds, the JCF has one more chance to support early literacy learning by including funding in the 2025-27 biennial budget.
Act 100 establishes the appropriations in state statute for funding that will support the implementation of 2023 Wisconsin Act 20. The Department of Public Instruction’s initial request for funding, aligned with Act 20 priorities, included:
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$25 million for partial reimbursement for early literacy curriculum purchased from the Early Literacy Curriculum Council list.
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$15 million for reimbursement for local funds spent to meet the professional development training requirement for educators and administrators included in Act 20.
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$9 million for early literacy coaches, as defined by Act 20.
With the June 25 actions of the State Supreme Court, Act 100 is law. While the appropriation structure outlined in Act 100 remains, funding for Act 20 implementation has not yet been released to the DPI.
Our work is as meaningful as ever.
Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to sit beside educators while they administered the screener (on picture day – no easy feat); to listen as parents/caregivers share the literacy experiences of the young children they love; to observe in classrooms implementing new instructional techniques and materials; to cheer as a student who communicates non-verbally read his writing aloud to classmates; and to advocate for implementation of early literacy practices that anticipate the unique needs of English learners and students with IEPs.
I’ve also had the tremendous honor of being trusted with your questions, fears, uncertainties, and hopes. Those hopes (and a strong belief in you) are what I’m holding tightly. In a climate that has not been financially supportive of public education and that has questioned the importance of serving our students who are marginalized, I continue moving forward—right beside you--with hope.
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