The READ Act
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According to the Minnesota Department of Education, "[the] Minnesota Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act, known as the READ Act, was passed and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on May 24, 2023. The goal of this legislation is to have every Minnesota child reading at or above grade level every year, beginning in kindergarten, and to support multilingual learners and students receiving special education services in achieving their individualized reading goals. The READ Act replaces Read Well by Third Grade (RWBTG) and is in effect as of July 1, 2023."
In our continued efforts to provide all students with instruction that produces positive outcomes, District 742 has taken the following steps to align with READ Act requirements and implementation guidelines:
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LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training for all elementary reading instructors including special educators, EL teachers and reading support staff
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Creation of a LETRS Implementation Plan to support elementary instruction
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Support and coaching for elementary staff provided by grade-level academic leads
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CAREIALL (Advancing Language and Literacy) training for secondary special educators and EL staff
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Support and coaching for secondary staff provided by secondary literacy specialists
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Updated assessment and screening processes in place to ensure students with reading difficulties are identified and supported
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Coffee Cast: Episode 3
Resources
FAQs: Parents & Community Members
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What is the Science of Reading?Ā
The Science of Reading is a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing.
Sources: thereadingleague.org, relay.libguides.com
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How much time is allocated to reading instruction during the school day?
Elementary Instructional Minutes
Secondary Instructional Minutes: Students are provided with year-long English language arts (ELA) course opportunities in grades 6-12 with class periods lasting approximately 55 minutes each. Students who demonstrate significant gaps in reading learning will receive an additional 55-minute period of Science of Reading instruction 2-3 trimesters per school year until their learning gaps have improved.
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How will I know if my student needs reading support?
Elementary: Students are screened in the fall, winter and spring through benchmark assessments. Teachers will communicate the results of the screening/benchmark assessments with families during conferences or on an as-needed basis. Students with special education services who demonstrate additional support needs in reading learning will be notified by their student’s case manager.
Secondary: Students who are screened for reading difficulty and subsequently assigned to a Science of Reading course will be contacted by a building reading specialist. Students with special education services who demonstrate additional support needs in reading learning will be notified by their student’s case manager. EL learners who may benefit from additional reading support services will be contacted by building EL dedicated staff.
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What does reading support look like in District 742?
Elementary: In addition to core reading instruction, some students may receive reading intervention in the classroom, and some students may participate in reading practice with a Minnesota Reading Corps tutor. Students identified with larger gaps in foundational reading skills may have the opportunity to meet with a small group literacy intervention teacher for specific skill instruction.
Secondary: In addition to their ELA courses, identified students who demonstrate gaps in foundational and/or comprehension reading skills are recommended for assignment to available Science of Reading courses.
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What can I do at home to support my student with reading?
Read with your child. This includes reading in the family’s first language as this supports listening comprehension, vocabulary and conversation.
FAQs: 742 Instructional Staff
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Where are we at in the curriculum review cycle for literacy resources?
Elementary language arts begins the review cycle in 2024-25. Resources listed on the MDE website as meeting criteria in Foundational Skills, Knowledge and Skill Building, or a Comprehensive will be considered. The curriculum will be piloted in the 2025-26 school year with full implementation in 2026-27.
Secondary language arts will be entering year 4 of a 6-year contract with StudySync Open Resource and will not be reviewing curricular resources until further guidance specific to secondary develops from the READ Act. Secondary will continue to focus on aligning 2020 ELA Standards with classroom instruction and assessment practices.
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What opportunities are available for my learning in the Science of Reading?
View Minnesota Department of Education LETRS & CAREIALL.
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When do the new ELA Standards have to be implemented?
