{"id":16710,"date":"2025-04-17T16:16:49","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T20:16:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/?p=16710"},"modified":"2025-04-17T16:16:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T20:16:49","slug":"minnesota-ela-standards-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/news-blog\/minnesota-ela-standards-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota\u2019s ELA Standards Are Changing: Here\u2019s What Educators Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nMinnesota<\/a> educators are preparing for an important shift: the full implementation of the <\/span>2020 Minnesota K\u201312 Academic Standards in English Language Arts<\/b><\/a> is scheduled for the 2025\u201326 school year. These new standards\u2014officially adopted in July 2023\u2014replace the 2010 standards that have guided instruction since the 2012\u201313 school year.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what\u2019s changing, and how should schools and districts prepare?<\/span><\/p>\n

A New Foundation for Literacy in Minnesota<\/b><\/h2>\n

The 2010 standards were based largely on the Common Core State Standards, with Minnesota-specific additions. The 2020 revision marks a turning point. Developed by a state-led committee of educators, administrators, and community representatives, the new standards reflect current research on literacy development, an emphasis on culturally responsive teaching, and alignment with Minnesota\u2019s unique educational values.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why This Matters<\/b><\/h2>\n

This update isn\u2019t just a routine refresh\u2014it represents a philosophical and instructional shift. The standards focus on:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Equity and representation<\/b>: Students are expected to read texts that reflect a variety of perspectives, including those of the Dakota and Anishinaabe peoples, as well as identities from dominant, non-dominant, and historically marginalized communities.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • College, career, and civic readiness<\/b>: Benchmarks are designed to build not only academic proficiency but also the critical thinking, communication, and media literacy skills students need beyond graduation.<\/span>
    \n<\/span>Student agency<\/b>: Students are encouraged to make purposeful choices in reading and writing, supporting engagement and ownership of learning.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Key Shifts in the 2020 Standards<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Here\u2019s what\u2019s different from the 2010 standards:<\/span><\/p>\n

    Revised Structure with Three Core Strands<\/b><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Reading<\/b>: Includes foundational literacy, text analysis, and media literacy.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Writing<\/b>: Covers expressive, persuasive, explanatory, and narrative writing\u2014anchored in real-world application.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Listening, Speaking, Viewing, and Exchanging Ideas<\/b>: Prioritizes collaborative communication and critical engagement with diverse perspectives.<\/span>
      \n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Modern Definition of “Text”<\/b><\/h3>\n

      “Text” now includes multimodal formats\u2014books, articles, podcasts, videos, and more\u2014helping students apply literacy skills in digital and media-rich environments.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Integrated Media Literacy<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Rather than appearing in isolation, media skills are embedded throughout the standards, recognizing the real-world contexts in which students consume and create content.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Foundational Writing Skills Reinforced<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Students will develop stronger command over grammar and sentence structure\u2014skills that support clear and authentic expression in writing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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      • For example, in <\/span>standard 8.2.1.3<\/b>, students are asked to <\/span>use nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns, placing clauses and phrases within sentences correctly<\/b>, building on skills from previous years. This standard emphasizes the importance of sentence construction as a tool for clarity and stylistic control\u2014essential skills for both academic writing and real-world communication.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n