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July 2024
Welcome to the Minnesota READ Act Newsletter
The goal of the Minnesota READ Act is to have every 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.
K-5 Literacy Curricula Resource Materials Update Webinar
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) in collaboration with the University of Minnesota, Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) completed a review and reconsideration of submitted K-5 Literacy Curricula as required by the Minnesota READ Act. Join us Friday, August 2, 10:30-11:15 a.m., to hear updates regarding curricula aligned to evidence-based structured literacy practices and a walk-through of the refined rating system.
Register for webinar by visiting the READ Act Curricula Resources webpage.
Minnesota has more than 32,000 educators registered for literacy professional development as part of the Minnesota READ Act statute. Providing teachers and reading instructional support staff with training on evidence-based reading instruction is a core outcome of the READ Act.
An update to READ Act 2.0 extends the deadline to complete professional development for Phase 1 educators* to July 1, 2026. Any district or charter school participating in two years of LETRS training, getting started this fall will be important in order to complete the training by July 1, 2026. Extensions will still be considered for extenuating circumstances when needed.
Phase 1 Professional Development Registration will pause October 2024 and will reopen February 2025.
Training options for Phase 2 educators* are being reviewed and are scheduled to be open for enrollment starting in February 2025.
Note: Educators who have completed professional development will need to share their certificate of completion with their district’s or charter school’s literacy lead/coordinator. Districts, charter schools, and tribal schools will report literacy training completions on their annual Local Literacy Plan submission.
*Visit the READ Act Professional Development webpage for definitions of Phase 1 and 2 educators.
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COMPASS is the statewide system through which all districts, charter organizations, and Tribal schools may receive evidence-based support. COMPASS offers professional development opportunities with various levels of support and includes a variety of resources, evidence-based practices and facilitated guidance in formats that work best for schools.
The COMPASS Statewide System of Support, inclusive of the Minnesota READ Act-funded Regional Literacy Network, establishes a team of specialists at each of the nine Regional Service Cooperatives who will work in close collaboration with MDE. These specialists will offer expertise in the areas of Minnesota Multi-Tiered System of Support (MnMTSS); literacy; math; school climate and culture; equitable access to high quality learning environments; and culturally responsive instructional leadership.
The Regional Literacy Network consists of Literacy Leads and Coaches in each of the regions who will provide the following:
- ongoing training and coaching based in structured literacy
- support with comprehensive literacy reform efforts based on structured
literacy including supports for district and site level leadership teams; literacy data collection and analysis; and curriculum selection
- supports for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Local Literacy Plan
More information will be coming to your district or charter school regarding this support.
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Minnesota READ Act Literacy Aid was approved by State legislature this last spring as part of the READ Act 2.0 updates. This aid is for districts and charter schools for evidence-based literacy support. The MDE Literacy and Finance units will be providing an informational webinar on the use of READ Act Literacy Aid.
Register for READ Act Literacy Aid webinar, Thurs., Aug. 29, 2024, 11-11:45 a.m.
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About the Minnesota READ Act
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 learner 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.
Read the full legislation, Minnesota Session Law, Chapter 55, Article 3, READ ACT. Updated information from READ Act 2.0 can be accessed under Minnesota Statutes 2023, section 120B.12.
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