Minnetonka Public Schools — Transcript
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Story
Minnetonka Schools launches district-wide literacy overhaul
Implementation of the Minnesota Read Act
Science of Reading and its Application
Student Assessment and Intervention Strategies
Votes (1)
Implementation of Comprehensive Literacy Initiatives and Read Act Training
The discussion centered on Minnetonka's proactive approach to literacy, including its existing curriculum updates and screening tools, and the district's response to the state's Read Act. It detailed the extensive professional development for K-5 teachers and administrators through grade-level cohorts, led by the vendor 'Core' using the 'Ola online language and literacy Academy' curriculum, focusing on the Science of Reading. The training is conducted during dedicated professional learning days and aims to equip teachers with best practices applicable across all instructional resources. The district emphasizes a K-12 continuum for literacy and ongoing support for students not yet proficient, including those in immersion programs and those identified with potential dyslexia.
Notable Quotes (4)
today we're diving into a topic that we are all passionate about literacy it ties in direct with one of our Schoolboard goals excellence and student learning and support and the state of Minnesota has made it a key priority for all school districts with the react which we will dig into today
so fundamentally we want to make sure that our students are prepared both to um mechanically read but then of course to comprehend at Deep levels and so while we do very well as a district typically we're first or second as we look at comparison districts we also know that all of our students aren't proficient yet and so our goal is to make sure that we have programs and practices in place that ensure the greatest number of students will be reading on or above grade level as quickly as possible
um I think there's a it's multifaceted um if you want like a really nerdy podcast about it a novel idea from the Iowa Center for reading research goes all the way back to the 1700s and covers all of the like ups and downs of the reading Wars from then until now so there's been Wars about best practice and reading going back 300 years
I've heard this is the best professional learning that I've ever had why didn't I learn this sooner um a lot of them really love being able to be in those grade level teams because they get to talk across um elementary school buildings there's not a lot of time to talk for deep Haven to talk to Clear Springs Etc
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Minnesota state legislation making literacy a key priority for all school districts, influencing instructional practices and professional development.
A Minnesota state guideline, in place for the last decade, emphasizing literacy goals such as 'ready to read by third grade'.
A phonics-based program implemented fully in Kindergarten and first grade prior to the pandemic.
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, referred to in the context of demonstrating proficiency in reading standards.
A panel from the year 2000 whose research findings are foundational to the Science of Reading, outlining the five pillars of reading.
The in-person version of the blended learning platform from Core Learning, used for teacher professional development in literacy.
Advancement Via Individual Determination, a worldwide college readiness system where Alyssa Rutherford built disciplinary literacy skills.
Literacy training Alyssa Rutherford received as a literacy coach, contributing to her understanding of the Science of Reading.
The chosen provider for literacy instruction training in the district, offering online and in-person programs.