This post originally appeared at https://reforminggovernment.org/education-watch-gov-evers-takes-huge-steps-toward-positive-reading-reforms/

From Governor Tony Evers: “Do we need to change the way we’re training teachers on how to teach reading?” “Of course. And that’s already happening, to be honest with you. I’ve been to some in our university centers that are doing a great job.” Listen here or watch here.

Additional context from IRG Senior Research Director Quinton Klabon:

• Governor Evers went even farther than the Department of Public Instruction did, which we mentioned in last week’s newsletter. He focused on reading as a core reform tactic, he indicated that he would like to hire a higher, more realistic number of teacher coaches so that they would not all go to Milwaukee Public Schools, he complimented Mississippi’s and Florida’s reforms, and he indicated that universities should train teachers in phonics-based, more effective ways.
• Did he also make some excuses for low-income children not reading, say that Mississippi’s and Florida’s regular top-5 appearances may be “short-term gain that doesn’t necessarily carry over,” and say that many teacher colleges “are doing a great job,” even as half of students fail the reading instruction test? He did. But let’s praise him for moving toward compromise.