Over 84 percent of the Webster County School District’s third-graders passed the state “Reading Gate” test earlier this spring.
The Mississippi Department of Education released results for the Third Grade Reading Assessment on May 22. Statewide, MDE said three out of four students met the higher bar for the assessment on their first try, continuing the trend of improved reading skills among third-graders since Mississippi implemented the Literacy-Based Promotion Act.
The act requires third-graders to pass a reading assessment to qualify for promotion to fourth grade. An amendment to the law in 2016 raised reading-level expectations starting in the 2018-19 school year, requiring third-graders to score at level 3 or higher on the reading portion of the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program English Language Arts assessment.
Statewide, 74.5% of third-graders met the higher bar. The 25.5% of students who did not pass have two opportunities to retest before the start of the new school year.
The Webster County School District showed an 84.1% pass rate overall. The pass rate at East Webster Elementary School was 87.1% while the pass rate at Eupora Elementary School was 81.3%.
New beginning
“This year’s assessment is a new beginning because the passing score has been raised one level to move closer to measuring proficiency,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “Students need strong reading skills in order to learn other school subjects, such as science, social studies, writing and even math. I am proud of all of the students, teachers, school leaders and parents who have worked hard to help students become competent readers by the end of third grade.”
In previous years, the law required third-graders to score above the “lowest achievement level.” Under the lower standard, the initial passing rate increased from 85% in 2015 to 93.2% in 2018. Students scoring at level 3 or higher has also increased each year, rising from 69.6% in 2017, to 73.8% in 2018, and to 74.5% in 2019.
Level 3 indicates a student is approaching grade-level expectations. Level 4 means a student has mastered grade-level reading standards.
This year’s statewide results also show:
• More than half of schools (214) met or exceeded the state’s average pass rate of 74.5%
• Ninety-four (22.8%) schools had at least 85% of students meet or exceed the passing score
• Among all school districts, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding the higher bar on the test ranged from a high of 94.1% to a low of 32.4%
The LBPA requires that students who do not pass the Third Grade Reading Assessment be retained in third grade, unless the student meets the good-cause exemptions specified in the law. Exemptions apply to certain students with disabilities, students learning English or students who have been previously retained.
Higher standards
Local school districts determine which of their students who did not pass qualify for one of the good-cause exemptions for promotion to fourth grade. The law requires schools to provide intensive reading intervention services to students retained in the third grade and to students promoted to fourth grade with a good-cause exemption.
“Literacy must remain a major focus in pre-K through third grade to help students build the foundational reading skills they need to be successful throughout school,” Wright said. “As we raise expectations for students, we must do all that we can to help them meet higher academic standards.”
In third grade, students begin to make the transition from learning to read to reading to learn. If they are unsuccessful, they will have difficulty understanding grade-level reading material and are at risk of falling further behind each year, according to a news release from MDE
The department has assigned 80 literacy coaches to 182 schools throughout the state where data show students struggle the most with reading. Literacy coaches work with teachers to help them become more effective teachers of reading.
This month, MDE will announce which schools that applied will be awarded grants to run summer reading camps. Schools were preliminarily notified last month of their selection for the reading camp grant. For information about summer reading programs, contact local school districts.
No-cost eye exams
For the fifth year, the Mississippi Optometric Association and the Mississippi Vision Foundation will provide eye exams at no cost to third-graders who did not pass the state reading assessment test and do not have insurance. The exams are offered through July 31.
For students who are covered through private insurance, applicable co-pays may apply because of laws that require the doctor to collect this amount. All children, regardless of their family’s ability to pay, will be seen by optometrists participating in the program.
The MVF, working with industry partners, will cover the costs for any student who needs an exam and is not covered through insurance. Additionally, industry partners are working with Mississippi optometrists to provide glasses to any student whose eye exam reveals the need for corrective lenses.
