Almost half of Utah’s third graders don’t read at grade level, report says

Nearly half of Utah’s K-3 students are reading behind their grade level, even though almost five years ago Utah lawmakers set ...
KWQC

Nearly 40% of Quad Cities 3rd graders aren’t reading at grade level - Here’s why that matters

Experts say early literacy gaps don’t just affect academics — they can shape long-term outcomes well beyond the classroom.

Report: About half of Utah’s third graders struggle with reading — so what can be done?

Almost all children can learn to read with effective data-driven support, according to Gardner Institute analysis.

‘Urgent need’: Nearly half of Utah’s kindergarten through third grade kids can’t read at grade level, report finds

The state aims to see 70% of its third graders reading at grade level by 2027. So far, only about half are hitting the mark.
Arkansas Times

Rising 3rd graders first group to be held back if they don’t meet yet-to-be-determined LEARNS literacy standards

Arkansas students entering the third grade at public schools and open enrollment charter schools this fall will be the first cohort to be retained if they don’t meet literacy expectations, a policy ...
Daily Journal

Indiana sees historic jump in third grade reading scores; retention data still pending

New data shows 87.3% of Hoosier third graders demonstrated proficient reading skills on the IREAD exam in 2024-25. (Getty Images) Indiana’s latest reading assessment scores showed the largest ...
The Indianapolis Star

New Indiana IREAD law sparks parent concern as student retention set to rise

Parents are stressed, and kids are coming home crying. These are the emotions more families say they're experiencing this summer because of a new law that will likely mean more third graders are kept ...
Tennessean

Is Tennessee's third grade reading law working? Here's what the test scores show

A third grade reading and retention law took effect for Tennessee public school children in 2023. Students must meet a state reading benchmark or take extra steps to avoid being held back. Three full ...
Daily Journal

'Learning to read' versus 'reading to learn' by 3rd grade

The first major moment in a child’s schooling — what many educators call the "make-or-break" year for literacy — is third grade. By the end of third grade, students are expected to transition from ...
Ibj.com

Indiana third grade reading scores improve at record-breaking rate, reach pre-pandemic levels

Indiana third graders’ reading proficiency improved at a record-breaking rate in 2025, putting students’ scores on par with pre-pandemic levels. Statewide, 87.3% of third graders scored proficient on ...
EdSource

I faked reading in third grade. Too many Black kids still have to

One hundred eighty-five pages. That’s the length of Culver City Unified School District’s LCAP — our Local Control Accountability Plan. Graphs, numbers, charts, data. I flip through the pages, ...

Oklahoma bill proposes holding back some third-graders to boost literacy

A new Oklahoma bill inspired by Mississippi's success aims to improve literacy by retaining third-graders who fail reading tests and implementing summer academies.