Local Literacy Plan

Welcome to the ISD 622 North St. Paul - Maplewood - Oakdale Schools - Local Literacy Plan

 ISD 622’s Literacy Philosophy:

Each student has a right to equitable, accessible, inclusive, and culturally responsive literacy education. 622 educators commit to delivering high-quality English Language Arts instruction that is research- and evidence-based and anchored in MN state standards. Each ISD 622 student will be a critical reader, writer, and thinker, ensuring career and college readiness and the ability to thrive and contribute in diverse communities.

ISD 622 Strategic Plan goal:

All students will successfully meet (English Language Arts) academic standards.

ISD 622 & Minnesota READ Act

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 Read Well by Third Grade 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. 

As part of the READ Act, Minnesota school districts are required to annually submit a local literacy plan to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), and data on student performance in kindergarten, grade 1, 2 and 3 on foundational reading skills including phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, fluency and oral language; students who demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia; and students in grades 4 to 12 who are identified as not reading at grade level.  Minn. Stat. 120B.12, subd. 4a (2023).

As part of this commitment, ISD 622 developed a Local Literacy Plan, using the required template provided by the Minnesota Department of Education. Plans are submitted by June 15th, to MDE, per the READ Act's guidelines.

ISD 622 Local Literacy Plan:

To realize the MN READ Act, it is a goal and priority of ISD 622 schools and programs to implement a structured and comprehensive literacy program. Implementation includes providing tiered and differentiated student support, intervention, and enrichment through the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework. Student data is collected and analyzed to closely monitor student progress toward reading proficiency. Teachers receive ongoing job-embedded professional development and consistent opportunities to engage in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for collective efficacy and data-based decision-making. Also, intentional and authentic family and student engagement is embedded within the MTSS framework to ensure a collaborative learning process.

ISD622 Local Literacy Plan

Local Literacy Plan Report

The Minnesota Department of Education posts each district and charter school's Local Literacy Plan report. This report is required by the Minnesota READ Act, MINN. STAT. 120.B12 (2024) and must be updated annually by June 15. This report includes a summary of the district's efforts to screen, identify and provide interventions to students who are not reading at grade level and students who demonstrate characteristics of dyslexia. Aggregate data are provided on universal and dyslexia screening in grades K-3 and screening for characteristics of dyslexia in grades 4-12. In addition, the report identifies the reading curricula used for core instruction and interventions, whether the district has adopted an MTSS framework, how the district has used their Literacy Aid funds and the number of educators who have completed the approved literacy professional development.

To access the report, click here.

ISD 622 READ Act Literacy Staff:

The Minnesota READ Act is a statute designed to improve literacy outcomes for all students. A key component of this legislation is the requirement for districts to employ or contract with qualified professionals to support literacy instruction. As defined by the Minnesota Statutes, these roles include Literacy Specialists, Literacy Leads, and Dyslexia Specialists.

Our District's Literacy and Dyslexia Specialists

In accordance with the MN READ Act requirements, ISD 622 is proud to have a dedicated team of specialists who support our district’s literacy goals. Our staff members are equipped to assist with the implementation of structured literacy, provide teacher training, and support our students' reading development.

District Literacy Lead & Curriculum Coordinator

• Autumn Voight
  • As a licensed educator trained in structured literacy (LETRS), Autumn serves as our District Literacy Lead. She collaborates with district administrators and staff to support our district's implementation of the READ Act. She provides support to school-based staff and assists with the implementation of structured literacy, interventions, and teacher training.

Elementary Literacy Specialists

• Caitlin Barnier and Emily Galle-From
  • Our Elementary Literacy Specialists are licensed educators who have completed professional development in structured literacy (CORE OL&LA). They work to support teachers and students, ensuring our youngest learners have a strong foundation in reading.

Secondary Literacy Specialist

• Daren Dressler
  • As a licensed and specially trained educator, Daren supports literacy instruction at the middle and high school level. Daren works with staff to ensure that all students, including those in grades 6-12, continue to build their reading and comprehension skills.

District Dyslexia Specialist

• Dr. Sarah Berman-Young
  • As the District Dyslexia Specialist, Dr. Berman-Young, provides technical assistance and support to schools regarding dyslexia and related disorders. As a licensed school psychologist with training in structured literacy (CORE OL&LA), she has experience using evidence-based interventions and training staff in the use of those interventions. Her role is to increase staff knowledge and instructional competencies to improve literacy outcomes for students with or at risk for dyslexia.

Questions regarding the ISD 622 Local Literacy Plan or the MN READ Act? 
Contact: Heidi Leigh, Director of Teaching & Learning 
Questions regarding the ISD 622 assessment and screening process?
Contact: Dr. Amy Luckner, Research, Evaluation, and Assessment Director

Additional Resources from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) for families are available via these links: 

• https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/lit/: The MDE Families READ toolkit provides families ideas and tools to help their children learn to read. The toolkit materials are aligned with Minnesota's developmental standards and assessments for early language, literacy, and reading.
• 2025–26 READ Act Participation Guide and Refusal Information.
• Minnesota’s English Language Arts Standards: A Family and Caregiver Guide to Supporting Your Child’s Learning (English)
• Minnesota’s English Language Arts Standards: A Family and Caregiver Guide to Supporting Your Child’s Learning (Hmong)
• Minnesota’s English Language Arts Standards: A Family and Caregiver Guide to Supporting Your Child’s Learning (Somali)
• Minnesota’s English Language Arts Standards: A Family and Caregiver Guide to Supporting Your Child’s Learning (Spanish)