Republicans say MN has student literacy crisis, call on Walz, Democrats to abandon discredited teaching methods
“Only half of Minnesota students can read at grade level — and I’m gonna say that again: half. That’s a tragedy.”
Albert Lea Representative Peggy Bennett and fellow Republicans at the legislature are calling on Governor Tim Walz and Democrats to abandon what they say is the discredited “whole language” approach to teaching students how to read. Austin Representative Patricia Mueller says the State of Mississippi in 2013 began a “very strong” literacy plan with phonics as its bedrock:
“They trained their teachers in the science of reading…. They had support with literacy coaches… and within six years, they went from 49th in the nation in literacy scores to first.”
House Education Policy Committee Chair, Minnetonka Democrat Laurie Pryor says they’ve been working with families, students and parents to deliver quality education, especially around literacy. Pryor says a bill has already had a hearing this session.
