The programs are shuttering at the end of this school year, the district confirmed Monday, after President Donald Trump’s administration cut funding for AmeriCorps initiatives like United Way’s Schools of Hope last year.
“We are deeply grateful to United Way of Dane County, as well as the many volunteers who have supported our students,” Cindy Green, assistant superintendent of strategy and innovation, said in a statement. “We are continuing to refine how tutoring is delivered to ensure it is closely aligned with what students are learning in the classroom and grounded in the Science of Reading and evidence-based approaches.”
Literacy-focused tutoring program Elementary Schools of Hope and math-focused Achievement Connections have served more than 113,000 Madison students over the past 28 years with the help of almost 23,000 community volunteers.
A Corporation for National and Community Service grant has funded Schools of Hope, providing AmeriCorps members who serve as tutor coordinators in elementary schools. United Way of Dane County matches the grant with additional funds.
The AmeriCorps grant funding was about $500,000 per year and will end in August.
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1998! Money and school performance.
A.B.T.: “Ain’t been taught.”
3888 (!) Madison 4k to 3rd grade students scored lower than 75% of the students in the national comparison group during the 2024-2025 school year.
Madison taxpayers have long supported far above average (now > $26,000 per student) K-12 tax & spending practices. This, despite long term, disastrous reading results.
Madison Schools: More $, No Accountability
The taxpayer funded Madison School District long used Reading Recovery…
The data clearly indicate that being able to read is not a requirement for graduation at (Madison) East, especially if you are black or Hispanic”
My Question to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Teacher Mulligans and our Disastrous Reading Results
2017: West High Reading Interventionist Teacher’s Remarks to the School Board on Madison’s Disastrous Reading Results
Madison’s taxpayer supported K-12 school district, despite spending far more than most, has long tolerated disastrous reading results.
“An emphasis on adult employment”
Wisconsin Public Policy Forum Madison School District Report[PDF]
WEAC: $1.57 million for Four Wisconsin Senators
Friday Afternoon Veto: Governor Evers Rejects AB446/SB454; an effort to address our long term, disastrous reading results
Booked, but can’t read (Madison): functional literacy, National citizenship and the new face of Dred Scott in the age of mass incarceration.
When A Stands for Average: Students at the UW-Madison School of Education Receive Sky-High Grades. How Smart is That?
Legislative Letter to Jill Underly on Wisconsin Literacy.