Alabama’s Third-Graders Face Potential Retention Under New Reading Standards
Alabama’s school chief has issued a warning that over 10,000 third graders could face the possibility of being held back this summer due to the new reading benchmarks required to move on to fourth grade.
The implementation of these high-stakes requirements is set to take effect this school year. State lawmakers had previously delayed their introduction to allow students and schools to recover from the learning setbacks caused by the pandemic.
Superintendent Eric Mackey emphasized, “This is the year that will happen with these current third-graders.” The decision was made as the Alabama State Board of Education approved the minimum score that more than 50,000 students must achieve to advance to the fourth grade.
In 2019, lawmakers passed the Alabama Literacy Act, which mandates that third graders must meet specific reading benchmarks before progressing to the fourth grade. Students are required to attain a minimum score on the state’s standardized reading assessment or demonstrate mastery of all third-grade state reading standards through a portfolio.
Governor Kay Ivey voiced her opposition to any further delay of the retention provision back in August.
The Alabama Literacy Act’s new reading benchmarks for third graders are being implemented this school year. Mackey explained that board members needed to establish a new score on the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program to align with the latest standards.
While Mackey couldn’t provide an exact estimate of how many students might be retained under this score, he suggested it could be between 10,000 and 12,000. However, it’s important to note that not all of these students would necessarily repeat third grade, as some may attend summer school and retake the test, while others could progress through a reading portfolio assessment.
Despite the decision, three board members voted against the recommended score, believing it was set too low. The board may revisit this score next year.
The law also mandates teacher retraining in reading instruction, periodic reading testing from kindergarten through third grade, the availability of reading coaches to assist teachers with their instructional methods, and the introduction of summer reading camps to support struggling readers in catching up.
This move represents a significant change in Alabama’s education landscape, with the potential to impact thousands of young students as they strive to meet the new reading standards.