Regional Collaboration Expands Access to Structured Literacy Training

Through strong regional collaboration, South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC), local school districts, and the Regional Literacy Network (RLN) are working together to expand access to high-quality Structured Literacy training for paraprofessionals across southern Minnesota.

Over the past year, SCSC’s COMPASS Literacy Team partnered with 17 districts to deliver Paraprofessional Structured Literacy Training (PSLT), reaching 536 paraprofessionals through 80 two-hour training sessions. This work reflects a shared commitment across districts to strengthen literacy instruction and support student success.

To build long-term, sustainable capacity, SCSC and participating districts also engaged in a Train-the-Trainer model. Three two-day sessions brought together 34 participants representing 25 districts—including some beyond the region—equipping local leaders to deliver training within their own districts.

This collaborative approach aligns with Minnesota’s READ Act, which requires paraprofessionals supporting literacy to complete Structured Literacy training by July 1, 2026. In response, the RLN developed an eight-hour PSLT program, delivered in four two-hour sessions and piloted statewide in spring 2025.

Districts across the region played an active role in the statewide pilot phase, working alongside the SCSC COMPASS Literacy Team to support implementation and training efforts.

During the 2025–26 school year, districts are continuing this collaborative work by choosing the approach that best meets their needs—either building internal capacity through trained staff or partnering with SCSC literacy specialists for on-site training.

Together, these efforts highlight the power of regional collaboration in building educator capacity and ensuring all students benefit from strong, evidence-based literacy instruction.