Purpose

The bill aims to improve student reading by creating a state framework called the Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act (the Read Act). It requires public schools to focus on foundational literacy and achieve grade-level reading proficiency, using instruction and materials that are based solely on the science of reading.

Main provisions

• Name and framework:
  • Establishes the Read Act as the guiding policy for literacy in public schools, under the title Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act.
• Policy direction:
  • Public schools must promote foundational literacy and grade-level reading proficiency.
  • All curricula, textbooks, instructional materials, instructional practices, interventions, and teacher development/training used for literacy must be based solely on the science of reading.
• Legal changes:
  • The bill would amend Minnesota Statutes in multiple places (120B.118, 120B.119, 120B.123, 120B.124, 122A.091, 122A.092, 122A.185) by adding subdivisions to implement the Read Act.
  • It would involve cancellation of appropriations related to the Act, and reference changes to Laws from 2023 and 2024 to align with the Read Act provisions.

How it changes current law

• Codification of a science-of-reading-based approach:
  • Sets a clear standard that literacy instruction must be grounded in the science of reading, affecting what is taught, how materials are chosen, and how teachers are trained.
• Expanded statutory edits:
  • Adds subdivisions to several statutory sections to implement the Read Act across state education policy and practice.
• Funding implications:
  • Indicates that certain appropriations would be canceled or reallocated to support the Read Act framework.

Potential implications

• A more uniform, research-based approach to literacy instruction across Minnesota public schools.
• Emphasis on teacher training and professional development centered on the science of reading.
• Possible changes in which teaching materials and interventions schools can use for literacy.

Terminology and definitions (from the bill text)

• Read Act
• Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act
• science of reading
• foundational literacy
• grade-level reading proficiency
• curricula
• textbooks
• instructional materials
• instructional practices
• interventions
• teacher development and training

Relevant Terms - Read Act - Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act - science of reading - foundational literacy - grade-level reading proficiency - curricula - instructional materials - teacher development and training - 120B.118, 120B.119, 120B.123, 120B.124, 122A.091, 122A.092, 122A.185 - appropriation cancellation - Laws 2023 chapter 55 - Laws 2024 chapter 109 - Laws 2024 chapter 115