Strengthening literacy together

The Manitoba Legislature recently passed Bill 225 – The Public Schools Amendment Act (Early Reading Screening), marking an important milestone for literacy in our province. The new law, passed Nov. 4, requires schools to screen students twice a year for reading difficulties; to inform parents and guardians of the results by the next report card; and to ensure that support plans are put into action when challenges are identified.

This amendment reinforces a belief shared by educators, families, and communities across Manitoba — that reading is foundational to every student’s success. With Manitoba literacy rates among the lowest in Canada, this proactive approach will help ensure all children receive the timely support they need to become confident readers.

At Louis Riel School Division, this commitment is already deeply embedded in our work. Through our multi-year strategic plan, we have made early literacy a cornerstone of student success.

Over the past several years, LRSD has built a strong framework to identify and support literacy development from the earliest grades. Key initiatives include:

• Universal literacy screening for kindergarten and Grade 1 students using the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP-2);

• Universal progress monitoring for students in kindergarten through Grade 8 using Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) for English programs;

• Development of a French immersion progress monitoring tool for K–2 students to ensure equitable access to early literacy support;

• Comprehensive professional learning for school teams to strengthen instructional practices and data-informed decision making;

• A literacy skills scope and sequence aligned with Manitoba’s curriculum to promote consistency across schools;

• A data collection and analysis system that helps educators monitor progress and adjust instruction as needed;

• Enhanced use of assistive technology, ensuring all students can access learning effectively.

These collective efforts, combined with the province’s renewed focus on early identification and accountability through Bill 225, will help ensure that no student’s reading challenges go unnoticed or unsupported.

As LRSD continues to advance literacy through collaboration, professional learning, and innovation, we remain committed to one clear goal — helping every student build the strong reading skills they need to succeed in school and in life.

Together, with educators, families, and community partners, we are creating the conditions for lifelong learning and success.