Introduction to Minnesota State Academic Standards in English Language Arts (ELA)

ELA Standards Background

The Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in English Language Arts, which include reading, writing, speaking, viewing, listening, media literacy, and language standards, were revised in 2010 and were to be implemented by the 2012-2013 school year. The standards also cover Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects and require that students learn to read and write across disciplines.

The standards are being reviewed during the 2019-2020 school year. The Minnesota K-12 ELA Education Standards Committee began meeting in July 2019 to review the current (2010) standards. During this review process, the committee will gather feedback, make revisions, and draft new standards for the commissioner’s approval. The date by which all schools must implement the new standards will be determined during the rulemaking process.

Organization of the Standards

The organization and structure of the standards communicates how ELA education is conceptualized for Minnesota students. The standards are organized into four strands. Each strand has three or four substrands:

Reading

• Key ideas and details
• Craft and structure
• Integration of knowledge and ideas
• Range of reading and level of text complexity

Writing

• Text Types and Purposes
• Writing Process: Production and Distribution of Writing
• Research to Build and Present Knowledge
• Range of Writing

Speaking, Viewing, Listening, and Media Literacy

• Comprehension and Collaboration
• Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
• Media Literacy

Language

• Conventions of Standard English
• Knowledge of Language
• Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

Each substrand consists of one or more anchor standards. There are 34 anchor standards which are consistent from Kindergarten through grade 12. The benchmark(s) for each standard identify the specific knowledge or skills that a student must master at each grade level.

Each benchmark is designated by a 4-digit code. For example, the code 5.2.8.8 is read as follows

• The 5 refers to grade 5;
• The 2 refers to the substrand, Reading Standards for Informational Text K-5;
• The first 8 refers to the ELA anchor standard, Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence;
• The second 8 refers to the benchmark for that standard. Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).

Foundational Document for the ELA Standards

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/ Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects