Wisconsin Lawmakers Look to Overhaul Math Instruction

Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 -- 12:01 PM

(Corrinne Hess, Wisconsin Public Radio) Two years ago, Wisconsin lawmakers overhauled reading instruction for the state’s youngest students.

According to Corrinne Hess with the Wisconsin Public Radio, now, state Republicans want to take on math. Assembly Republicans announced a comprehensive education agenda this month, which includes a plan to address consistently low math scores on state and national tests.

The most recent national math test scores found only about one-third of 12th graders are ready for entry-level college math. State Rep. Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay, was one of the authors of the reading bill known as Act 20.

He says he now wants to create similar legislation for math. During a press conference on Sept. 10, Kitchens said a bill will be introduced soon that will include math screeners to provide testing and individualized plans to help struggling students catch up. 

“This bill is not going to be the full solution to the problem, but I think it’s going to be a very good first step in addressing a very serious problem,” Kitchens said.

Act 20 was a bipartisan effort, but implementation wasn’t easy and a fight over funding made its way to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Recognizing this, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, a conservative law firm that has become more involved in education issues over the last several years, has decided to take on math reform itself.

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