READ Act family info sessions will address key facts, student outcomes

Eden Prairie Schools aims to educate families about the Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act, which was signed into Minnesota law in May 2023 as part of the state Legislature’s omnibus education bill.

The READ Act is designed to strengthen student outcomes in reading across the state by ensuring every Minnesota child reads at or above grade level every year, starting in kindergarten. One requirement for students in kindergarten through third grade is that they are taught phonics and decoding based on a specific state-approved curriculum.

It also aims to support multilingual learners and students receiving special education services in achieving their individualized reading goals.

The READ Act, which replaces Read Well by Third Grade, took effect on July 1, 2023.

Lisa Birno, director of learning, teaching, and curriculum at EP Schools, said the district has been working on implementing the READ Act for the past several months. Progress has included developing an Advisory Committee and providing professional development opportunities in structured literacy for EP Schools staff.

Birno said that while many of the district’s educational and assessment practices already align with the new rules, “this is an opportunity to strengthen our practices and student outcomes. I think we can point to how this is going to make us more adept at meeting the needs of a wider variety of kids.”

For families who might have questions about how this will impact their child’s learning, the district is holding a series of information sessions about the key components of the READ Act and how it aligns with district efforts to help each student read at or above grade level.

Information sessions are open to all families, regardless of their child’s school. The district has already held a few and has three more scheduled:

• Wednesday, April 10, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Oak Point Elementary.
• Monday, April 15, 6 p.m. Virtual session – use this link to register.
• Tuesday, April 30, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Eden Lake Elementary (date changed from April 9).