In a recent government meeting, significant strides in educational development were discussed, particularly focusing on literacy training for teachers. Over the past two years, K-4 educators have undergone extensive LETRS training, totaling 150 hours, aimed at enhancing their teaching methodologies. This year marks a pivotal moment as a substantial number of these trained teachers begin implementing new strategies in their classrooms.

The initiative is expanding beyond elementary education, with secondary teachers, particularly those specializing in multilingual learners and special education, also participating in a new training program developed by the University of Minnesota. This program, known as Carry All, is designed to complement the LETRS training but is condensed to one year.

The meeting highlighted the importance of the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework, which aims to provide targeted interventions for students struggling with reading. Funding from the state through the Alternative Delivery of Specialized Instructional Services (ADDSS) is facilitating additional reading interventions across all educational sites.

A major curriculum adoption last year was also discussed, which has led to a temporary decline in student reading scores. Educators are optimistic that as teachers become more familiar with the new curriculum and instructional methods, improvements in student proficiency will follow over the next few years.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the integration of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) strategies into literacy instruction, emphasizing the importance of writing and reading as foundational skills. The ongoing professional development for teachers is deemed crucial as they navigate these changes.

Lastly, the appointment of Brandon Button as the new Equity Advancement Literacy Lead was announced. This position, required by the Minnesota Department of Education in the coming years, aims to unify and enhance literacy efforts across the district, ensuring a cohesive approach to improving educational outcomes.