Incoming ROCORI Superintendent Hails Reading Reset Plan Introduced at the Capitol Wednesday

(KNSI) — Lawmakers in St. Paul unveiled a new “Reading Reset” plan Wednesday, which emphasizes a system called the Science of Reading.

That method was hailed by incoming ROCORI superintendent Kevin Enerson during his job interview with the district last month. Enerson is the current superintendent of Pipestone Area Schools and says the program doesn’t introduce something new but instead emphasizes elementary teaching principles that deliver results. He tells KNSI the benefits of embracing the Science of Reading statewide would play out for decades. That was a point made last year by District 38 Senator Roger Chamberlain.

Enerson says, “Senator Chamberlain really talked in-depth about how this could have long-range implications in special education because some students probably do struggle with reading and so that shows up in other learning areas and graduation rates down the road.”

Enerson was invited to testify in St. Paul about the method, but it conflicted with his interview with ROCORI.

He added that when a child struggles with basics like literacy, it can morph into behavioral issues, sometimes even of a criminal nature, as they age.

Enerson says the system helps 94% of students who learn under it read at grade level, twice the current statewide average.

The plan would help districts switch materials, but Enerson cautions that educating staff about the method is where expenses can potentially pile up because “It’s more about the time to train staff and do those things. I know here at Pipestone we are training all teachers and it’s a two-year process.”

He will take over as head of ROCORI on July 1st. His contract was approved at Monday’s school board meeting.

He hopes the Science of Reading will be embraced by colleges and incorporated into the elementary education curriculum.

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