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In this episode of amplifiED, hosts Margaret Sullivan and Josh Crosson sit down with Rachel Berger, lobbyist, parent advocate, and what Josh calls "the godmother of literacy advocacy at the Minnesota Capitol,” for a deep dive into the history, hard work, and real-world impact of Minnesota's Read Act.
Rachel traces the journey from 2013, when she and a group of fired-up parents with kids diagnosed with dyslexia decided to change the laws, through years of coalition-building and Capitol testimony that culminated in the Read Act's passage in 2023. Along the way, she and Josh break down the difference between balanced literacy and the science of reading and why that distinction matters enormously for kids who can't just pick up reading by being surrounded by books.
The conversation covers Minnesota's remarkable progress: teacher prep programs have gone from 28% to 93% alignment with science of reading standards, and a new, required hands-on literacy field experience was passed into law in 2026. But Rachel and Josh are clear-eyed about what's still ahead. You don't turn the Titanic overnight and parent voice, which drove this entire movement, remains essential to seeing it through.
