Reading well by third grade is one of many developmental milestones in a child’s educational experience. Providing quality curriculum, instruction, and assessments is the foundation for developing comprehensive systems of support for all learners. The resources and information provided here are available for Minnesota schools to use as tools in developing comprehensive literacy programs and practices that lead to increased student achievement at all levels. 

Data Submission DATE CHANGE
Recent action by the Minnesota Legislature has modified Minneosta Statutes, section 120B.12. The deadline for data submissions requiring all public schools to submit data from locally determined literacy assessments HAS CHANGED to July 1, 2012. 

Given this change, districts are encouraged to submit their most current data for students enrolled in Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2. The data will be submitted to MDE using the Excel Template available on the Reading Well webpage or the MDE Data Submissions page. Please remember to download the template and follow the directions to add the appropriate information before entering any data. Then use the submission instruction document as a step-by-step guide to upload the district information using our secure server. 

Note, please view the Literacy Plan Development Rubric before posting local literacy plans to evaluate how the plan addresses the statutory requirements. 

Literacy Incentive Aid
Changes were also made to how Literacy Incentive Aid will be calculated, beginning in fiscal year 2013. In part, the language now reads, “the proficiency aid for each school is equal to the product of the school's proficiency allowance times the number of third grade pupils at the school on October 1 of the previous fiscal year.

A school's proficiency allowance is equal to the percentage of students in each building that meet or exceed proficiency on the third grade reading Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment, averaged across the previous three test administrations, times $530.” Growth aid will be calculated using only fourth grade pupil counts at the same rate. View the full text on the Office of the Revisor's website. 

• View the Reading K-3 Data Upload page to create and submit your data.

 
View the following recorded training sessions on how to develop a local literacy plan. Session handouts are available as part of the presentation. You may request an e-mail copy of presentation materials from Kari Ross at mde.academic-standards@state.mn.us.

Reading Well by 3rd Grade FAQ Webinar
Topics: Developing a local literacy plan consistent with the requirements of the 2011 Education Bill, Chapter 2, and the Minnesota Blueprint for Literacy: Achieving Success for 21st Century Learners, a comprehensive Birth-Grade 12 Literacy framework.

Session I: Where are we now and where do we need to go?
Topics: Critical practices in core instruction and intervention; components of scientifically based reading instruction; multi-tiered systems of support to create a continuum of service for students; examples from the Minnesota Blueprint for Literacy.

Session II:  What data do we need to consider and how do we use it to inform daily instruction?
Topics: Data-driven decisions and comprehensive assessments as the foundation of systemic planning and implementation; indicators of reading proficiency in emergent and transitional readers; assessment practices from the Minnesota Blueprint for Literacy.

Session III: What professional development, training, and support is needed to create a sustainable literacy program?
Topics: Job-embedded professional development, coaching, and instructional leadership as critical elements of literacy instruction; building capacity of educators; the role of literacy coaches; effective literacy leadership.

Session V: Developing Understanding of the Science of Implementation.
Topics: Stages of implementation, a scientific process for creating sustainable systems of literacy instruction; reviewing the Local Literacy Plan Checklist.

Session VI: How Can Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and Parental and Community Involvement Positively Support Literacy Development?
Topics: Empowering students, teachers, families, and communities to create learning environments; when and how schools give information to families about student reading proficiency including assessments administered, services available, and strategies parents can use at home; examples of engaging community organizations and pre-kindergarten programs to build a continuum of support.

Document Download:

• Glossary - Blueprint for Literacy 
  This glossary of terms can serve as a starting point for developing common understanding of terms frequently used in planning instruction.
• Local Literacy Plan Checklist 
  Guide to developing local literacy plans including statutes, current research, and information to support the development of sustainable programs of literacy instruction for all learners
• Minnesota Blueprint for Literacy Implementation Guide for Minnesota Schools and Early Learning Providers 
  Comprehensive tool for schools and early learning provides that outlines the five essential elements to create and maintain a developmentally appropriate framework for all learners to reach their fullest potential.