Gov. Walker to visit Hudson's 'KinderCare' this morning

• Gov. Scott Walker

Gov. Scott Walker

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MADISON - Gov. Scott Walker will visit KinderCare in Hudson this morning to highlight YoungStar and Early Literacy Initiatives.

Information received about 8:30 a.m. indicated he should arrive at KinderCare Learning Center, 2600 Center Drive, around 9:30 a.m.

Thirteen months ago, Walker noted his interest in early childhood development.

“By the time children reach 4th grade, they are no longer learning to read, but instead, reading to learn. As it stands today, nearly one third of all Wisconsin students cannot read at a third grade level, and that is simply unacceptable," he said.

In March, 2011, Walker convened the bipartisan “Read to Lead” Task Force, made up of teachers, legislators, researchers and advocates, co-chaired by State Superintendent Tony Evers. The group recommended improvements and changes in teacher preparation and professional development; screening, assessment and intervention; early childhood; accountability; and family involvement.

The initiative is part of larger reforms advocated by Walker to engage public and private sector groups in the goal of ensuring every child can read by the end of third grade.

He's also asked for educators to be evaluated, in part, on improvement of statewide reading scores. Also, there will be increased emphasis on reading for third-graders and schools and districts underperforming in reading will be required to implement targeted improvements, including a science-based reading program.

These were among the first phases of the Read to Lead initiative, according to information on a Gov. Walker web site.

Tags: area news, news, hudson, wisconsin