Read Act Legislation - 8/29/2024

As the new school year begins, students and teachers alike are brimming with enthusiasm, ready to dive into new challenges and opportunities. There’s palpable excitement in the “warm, sweaty, humid” air - words used by our students and staff to describe the first day back in the buildings. Segue: In future articles, I will update the community on our de-humidification, roofing, asbestos removal, and piping repair projects. 

Among this year’s new challenges will be a focus for training our PreK - 4th grade teachers on the science of reading as required by the State of Minnesota through the Read Act Legislation which was passed during the 2023 session. Future years will focus on required training for select 5th-12th grade staff members.   

In Minnesota, teacher training for the science of reading has become a focal point in improving literacy education. The state has embraced a comprehensive approach to ensure that educators are well-versed in evidence-based practices that support reading development. This training emphasizes the importance of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, all grounded in scientific research about how children learn to read.  

Our teachers will participate in training and courses during upcoming staff development days that cover the latest findings in cognitive science and effective instructional strategies, equipping them with practical tools to enhance reading instruction in their classrooms. 

This approach not only supports individualized learning but also fosters a more systematic and consistent method of teaching reading across the state. 

Thank you all for your continued support for our students and staff members as we embark on a new school year.

In Education,
Jamie Boelter, New London-Spicer Superintendent

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