To learn to read is to light a fire. Every syllable that is spelled out is a spark. - Victor Hugo

Each year in June, Minnesota school districts submit a Local Literacy Plan along with literacy assessment data to the Minnesota Department of Education under the Read Well by Third Grade legislation.

On May 24, 2023, The Minnesota Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act, known as the READ Act, was passed and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz. This replaced the previous legislation. The goal of The READ Act is that every Minnesota child reads at (or above) grade level every year, beginning in kindergarten, and to support multilingual learners and students receiving special education services in achieving their individualized reading goals. It is the goal and priority of Minnetonka Schools to ensure each and every child develops a high level of literacy proficiency.

As part of this commitment, the District will revise and align the Local Literacy Plan according to the new READ Act template and guidance which will be provided by the Minnesota Department of Education in March of 2024. The use of the template is required for every district literacy plan statewide and districts must develop these new plans by June 15th, 2024, per the READ Act's guidelines.

Recognizing literacy's pivotal role in a student's success, the District continually enhances instructional practices to foster strong literacy skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The approach used in Minnetonka Schools emphasizes tailored, systematic, and explicit instruction that fosters oral language development, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension for all students. The success of this instructional approach is being supported by ongoing professional learning for teachers in evidence-based literacy practices. District curriculum is designed to align with the Minnesota Academic Standards, focusing on essential skills in reading, writing, and communication, promoting literacy development and growth throughout a student's educational journey. From cultivating foundational skills to applying discipline-specific literacy skills, the Local Literacy Plan is dedicated to the success of each student.