Governor Reynolds paid a visit to Adel, Iowa to observe first graders taking part in reading exercises led by teacher Erin Koelker. The main focus of her visit was to see the implementation of “the science of reading” in schools to improve the reading skills of Iowa students. The Adel-DeSoto-Minburn district has been using this approach for three years and has seen remarkable improvements in student reading proficiency.
During her visit, administrator Travis Welker highlighted the district’s success in implementing the science of reading across all grade levels, including at the high school level. Governor Reynolds signed a bill into law at an ADM board room that requires Iowa schools to develop individualized plans for students in first, second, or third grade who are not reading at grade level. While the law does not ban the “three-cueing” reading curriculum, it mandates testing of Iowa college students aspiring to become teachers to assess their knowledge of the science of reading.
Recent data shows that 35% of Iowa third graders are not reading at grade level, prompting the state to invest $9 million in training for teachers and administrators to implement the science of reading in classrooms. Governor Reynolds expressed optimism about the progress that will be achieved through this initiative and emphasized the importance of empowering educators with the necessary tools to improve literacy outcomes. Her remarks came at the end of a hallway in the Adel school named “Literacy Way,” underscoring the commitment to advancing reading skills among Iowa students.