If a district has low reading scores and uses instructional practices that are inconsistent with what has been well documented about how children learn to read, the case is clear for switching to an evidence-based science of reading approach.
But Lexington’s young readers are not struggling. They have relatively strong test scores. So, perhaps not surprisingly, the prospect of being forced to change their literacy practices hasn’t sat well with Lexington’s leaders.
Famously, Lexington is the place where the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired. Today, it’s a wealthy suburb about 10 miles outside of Boston. Its residentsare extremely well-educated — 84% have a bachelor’s degree or higher — and the median price for purchasing a house is $1.2 million.
As state legislators debated the science of reading bill, Lexington Public Schools attracted attention because it continued to use literacy materials associated with (much-maligned) balanced literacy approaches, including Lucy Calkins’ Units of Study program. (The district uses a supplemental program called Wilson Fundations in an attempt to fill in gaps.) The superintendent has been an outspoken critic of the state legislature’s efforts.
Perhaps in spite of its curricular choice, and thanks in part to the families it serves, Lexington’s students score pretty well on state tests. Last year, 70% of its third graders scored proficient in reading, compared with 42% statewide. Lexington doesn’t have a lot of poor kids, but its low-income third graders outperformed their peers statewide (44% versus 24%). Only 25% of Lexington’s children with disabilities reached the same bar, but even so, that was higher than the statewide average of 14%.
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2026-2027 Madison K-12 $pending continues to grow, fueled by a 9.7% (!) property tax increase. Total spending will be at least $706,000,000 for 25,003 students, or $28,236 per student.
May 2026 Madison School District Presentation: 7,095 adults for 25,003 students (3.52 students per adult!)
Early Literacy Screener Map.
Map: Foundations of Reading Results: 2015–2024
Where have all the students gone?
3,887 Madison 4 year old to third grade students scored lower than 75% of the students in the national comparison group.
Madison taxpayers have long supported far above average k-12 tax & $pending. This despite our long term, disastrous reading results. May, 2026: 7,095 Staff for 25,003 students; $pending > $26k per student!
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”
A.B.T.: “Ain’t been taught.”
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?