English Language Arts (ELA) are all of the communication and language skills and processes people use every day to receive and send information. Students in ELA classrooms and across the content areas take in information through reading, listening, and viewing from both literary and informational sources. Students also write, speak, and exchange ideas to express themselves and communicate with others. The ability to use and understand language is critical to every aspect of students’ lives and their future career and college readiness.
Standards, Assessments and Graduation Requirements
Standards
The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards are the statewide expectations for student learning in public schools. The standards supplemented by benchmarks identify the knowledge and skills that all students must achieve in a content area by the end of a grade level or grade band. Minnesota’s academic standards are reviewed and revised on a 10-year cycle. Please review the Standards Implementation Table for the complete standards review schedule as well as the ELA Standards Review and Revision page.
Current Standards
The 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts are required to be fully implemented in the 2025-26 school year.
- 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts - Full text (PDF)
- 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts - Spreadsheet version (Excel)
Notes:
- The above documents have been updated as of February 2024 to reflect three minor changes: 1) a formatting error, 2) a typo of the term CVC in the kindergarten benchmarks, and 3) a minor coding change in kindergarten benchmarks 0.1.2.2 and 0.1.2.3.
- The 2010 MN ELA standards included an additional disciplinary literacy supplement for History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects. Now, literacy is embedded in each content area’s revised standards (2019 Science Standards, 2020 ELA Standards, and 2021 Social Studies Standards), with a focus on disciplinary literacies authentic to the disciplines.
Past Standards
The following are no longer in effect as of July 2025:
- 2010 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts - Full text (PDF)
- 2010 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts - Spreadsheet version (Excel)
Assessments
Schools and districts determine how their students will learn the ELA standards by developing courses, curriculum, and instructional materials aligned to the ELA standards. When formative assessments are aligned to ELA standards-based learning goals and embedded throughout instruction, teachers can identify where students are at in their learning based on evidence, to guide them where to go next. Summative evidence of learning is usually collected at the end of a unit. Both types of classroom assessment can help identify student misconceptions and scaffold future instruction. Learn more about the direct applications to grading, instructional improvement, learning acceleration and equity on Testing 1, 2, 3: Classroom Assessment page.
MCA
The Reading Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA)-IV and the Alternate MCA-IV assess the 2020 ELA standards in grades 3-8 and 10. Learn more about the MCAs and statewide assessments on the Statewide Testing page.
This 2020 Minnesota English Language Arts (ELA) Standards and Corresponding Assessments chart (PDF) clarifies how the 2020 ELA Standards are measured across three types of assessments: classroom-level assessments, literacy screeners and the Reading MCA-IV.
Graduation Requirements
In Minnesota, students are required to complete two kinds of requirements by the time they graduate. Students must:
- Satisfactorily complete all state academic standards or local academic standards where state standards do not apply.
- Satisfactorily complete the state credit requirements under Minnesota Statutes 2025, section 120B.024.
In English Language Arts (ELA) the graduation requirement is
- that all students satisfactorily complete four credits in ELA encompassing the ELA standards for grades 9-12.
Please see MDE's Graduation Requirements page for additional information.
Resources for Instruction and Learning
Full implementation of the 2020 ELA Standards is required in the 2025-26 school year. For more information and implementation resources, including a suggested implementation timeline and a three-part webinar series, visit the ELA Implementation page.
Standards Related Documentation
Additional documents to support understanding and implementation of the ELA standards include:
- Glossary and Appendices to the 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts (PDF)
- Glossary: Definitions for key terms from the standards
- Appendix 1: Definitions, Connections, and Considerations of Identity and Perspective
- Appendix 2: Text Complexity and Text Selection
- 2020 ELA Standards Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Professional Learning and Upcoming Events
All MDE-sponsored professional learning opportunities require registration a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Please register before the stated deadline.
ELA Leader’s Network Meetings
The MN ELA Leaders Network, a partnership of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Council of Teachers of English (MCTE), will host bi-monthly virtual meetings during the 2025-26 school year. These meetings support implementation of the 2020 Minnesota Academic Standards in English Language Arts and the transition to the standards-aligned Reading MCA-IV.
Anyone who leads ELA across Minnesota is welcome to attend, including curriculum directors, department leaders, literacy leads and coaches, and educators. See Information on the 2025-26 ELA Leaders Network meetings for dates and registration information. Registration is required at least 24 hours in advance of each meeting.
ELA Office Hours
Join MDE’s ELA standards and reading assessment team for monthly office hours, held the first Thursday of the month from 3-4 p.m. in the 2025-26 school year. ELA Office Hours are an informal opportunity to drop in and ask any question related to ELA standards, implementation, and the reading MCA. See below for specific dates and Zoom links. Registration is required at least 24 hours in advance of each meeting.
- December 4, 2025 from 3-4 p.m.
- January 8, 2026 from 3-4 p.m. (second Thursday of the month due to New Year’s Day)
- February 5, 2026 from 3-4 p.m.
- March 5, 2026 from 3-4 p.m.
- April 2, 2026 from 3-4 p.m.
- May 7, 2026 from 3-4 p.m.
Other Professional Learning Opportunities in ELA
READ Act Professional Development
The READ Act requires professional development for all staff who support reading instruction in PreK-12 schools. See the READ Act page for more information about requirements and opportunities.
Minnesota Council of Teachers of English
The Minnesota Council of Teachers of English (MCTE) is the Minnesota-based professional organization for teachers of English and language arts at the elementary, middle, secondary, and post-secondary levels. MCTE is committed to providing quality professional development opportunities for English teachers in Minnesota. The organization advocates for best practices in English/language arts in the public and the Legislature and promotes professional growth opportunities for college students pursuing a career in English education. MCTE is affiliated with the National Council of Teachers of English. Visit the MCTE website for more information and to learn about events such as the annual Fall Workshop and Spring Conference.
Minnesota Reading Association
The Minnesota Reading Association (MRA) is a dynamic and diverse organization that includes classroom teachers, reading specialists, consultants, administrators, supervisors, college teachers, researchers, psychologists, librarians, media specialists, students, and parents. MRA has more than 500 members in Minnesota and is affiliated with the International Literacy Association. Visit the MRA website for more information and to learn about ongoing events.
Educator Edition Newsletter
The Educator Edition Bulletin/Newsletter is a monthly newsletter sent electronically by MDE with important Academic Standards information, research, and legislative updates. Subscribe to the Educator Edition Bulletin/Newsletter.
Projects and Initiatives
ELA Standards, READ Act, and Regional Literacy Network Collaborations
ELA standards is actively collaborating with the MDE READ Act, COMPASS, and Regional Literacy Network located within the Minnesota Service Cooperatives to provide integrated, regional support for English Language Arts standards implementation and literacy success. Reach out to your Regional Literacy Lead for more information about opportunities and supports.
Recognition and Awards Programs
There are currently no active recognition or awards programs. Please check back for future updates.
Other Legislative Information
Updates
No legislative updates for ELA standards at this time.
Requirements
READ Act and Local Literacy Plans
Minnesota Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act, known as the READ Act, was passed and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on May 24, 2023. The goal of this legislation is to have every Minnesota child reading at or above grade level every year, beginning in kindergarten. The READ Act replaces Read Well by Third Grade (RWBTG) and is in effect as of July 1, 2023 (Minnesota Statutes 2025, section 120B.12).
See the READ Act page for more information about professional development, screening, and the required annual Local Literacy Plan.
