Minneapolis St. Paul, MN, August 26, 2026 —

A new statewide literacy law, known as the Read Act, is being implemented across Minnesota, including in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, as educators and policymakers grapple with a perceived “reading crisis.” Recent data reveals that only 49% of students in Minnesota are reading at grade level. This statistic highlights significant disparities, particularly within Minneapolis Public Schools, where achievement gaps are noted across racial and socioeconomic groups.

The Read Act is designed to address these challenges by establishing new mandates for early grade reading instruction and assessment. A primary objective of the law is to ensure that all children achieve grade-level reading proficiency by the end of third grade.

To achieve this goal, the legislation requires the implementation of evidence-based reading instruction methods. Furthermore, the law mandates screening for reading difficulties in the early grades. These measures are intended to identify students who may be struggling with reading at an early stage, allowing for timely intervention and support.

The statewide focus on literacy comes at a critical juncture, with data underscoring the widespread nature of the reading proficiency gap. The disparities observed in Minneapolis Public Schools reflect broader trends, indicating the need for comprehensive strategies to support all students in developing essential reading skills. The implementation of the Read Act represents a significant effort to standardize and improve reading education statewide, with the ultimate aim of improving outcomes for a large percentage of Minnesota’s student population.



Story summarized from the original created by Cory Knudsen on kstp.com, see more information here.

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