In Minnesota, there is a growing awareness that learning to read is not just a natural skill, but a science that requires explicit instruction. This has led to the implementation of a new reading curriculum in the fall of 2025, based on the latest research in reading science. The change is part of the READ Act, which was passed by the Minnesota legislature in 2023 with additional funding added during the legislative session.
Katharine Campbell, Director of Groves Literacy Partnerships, explains that many students have previously been taught to guess words based on cues such as the first letters or pictures. However, research shows that fluent readers actually process every sound in a word. To help teachers adapt to this new approach, Groves has been providing training and support for over a decade.
Campbell emphasizes the importance of training teachers in this new science of reading. Groves offers a model that includes an updated curriculum as well as coaching support for teachers to help them become proficient literacy instructors. With a focus on individual sounds and the brain’s processing of words, this new approach aims to improve literacy outcomes for students.
For more information about Groves and their literacy programs, visit their website at
