The Full Range of Language Arts Skills Are Not Being Taught at the Minneapolis Public Schools

Although the Minneapolis Public Schools has had reading curricula prior to the current Benchmark curriculum, only now is a real effort being made to implement the reading curriculum at every grade level and with consistency from school to school. 


But the Minnesota State Language Arts curriculum goes far beyond reading as a technical skill to the application of that skill to the reading of a variety of texts;  and the acquisition of formal writing conventions to be utilized in various types of essays, research papers, and  creative writing.  The full range of skills required by the Minnesota State Language Arts Standards are not being taught in the Minneapolis Public Schools.


Below is the introduction to the Minnesota State Language Arts Standards presented on the Minnesota Department of Education website:


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English language arts (ELA) are all of the communication and language skills and processes people use every day to receive and send information. We receive information through listening, viewing, and reading, and we send information through speaking, non-verbal expression, and auditory, visual, and written representations. The ability to use and understand language is critical to every aspect of students’ lives and their future college and career readiness.

The Minnesota Department of Education supports language arts achievement for all learners by providing guidance and technical assistance on implementation of academic standards, current literacy best practices, multi-tiered systems of intervention, and policy administration.

For more information about English Language Arts, contact Cory Stai or Jennifer Wazlawik.

Standards, Assessments, and Graduation Requirements:

The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in English Language Arts, which include reading, writing, speaking, viewing, listening, media literacy, and language standards, were revised in 2010 and were to be implemented by the 2012-2013 school year. The standards also cover Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects and require that students learn to read and write across disciplines. The standards will be reviewed again during the 2019-2020 school year.

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards. Most students take the MCA, but students with significant cognitive disabilities who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria may take the MTAS. The MCA reading tests are administered each year in grades 3-8 and in grade 10. 

All of the ELA standards, including reading, writing, speaking, viewing, listening, media literacy and language, are also assessed at the classroom level through teacher- and district-selected assessments.

The graduation requirements for English Language Arts (ELA) include credit requirements and standards requirements. All students are required to satisfactorily complete four credits in ELA encompassing the high school academic standards.