While Michigan state leaders and local media outlets recently highlighted school districts setting future goals for LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training, Merrill Community Schools is proud to share that our elementary educators are already ahead of the game!

Our entire elementary teaching staff has successfully completed LETRS training—the gold standard in evidence-based literacy instruction.

While new state legislation (Public Act 26 of 2026) aims for all Michigan elementary reading teachers to complete Science of Reading training by 2031, Merrill recognized early on that our students couldn't wait. Our dedicated teachers and staff focused professional learning, coursework, and practical classroom application to master the foundational mechanics of how young minds learn to read.

"We are incredibly proud of our elementary educators," said Superintendent, Allison Jordan. "LETRS is a rigorous, deeply involved professional learning commitment. By fully training our staff now, we aren't just meeting future state standards early—we are actively transforming literacy instruction in our classrooms today so every student becomes a confident, successful reader."

The LETRS curriculum equips teachers with deep expertise in phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and reading comprehension.

As conversations around literacy standards continue across the state, parents and community members can rest assured that Merrill Community Schools elementary classrooms are already powered by fully certified, expert reading instruction.