DOTHAN, Ala (WDNews) – The Alabama Board of Education is making big changes to improve reading standards for third graders. Starting this year, the state will increase the minimum score students need to pass the high-stakes reading test that determines whether they can move on to fourth grade. The cut score will move from 435 to 444 this school year, with a future goal of reaching 454 by 2027. A score of 473 is considered reading at grade level, but officials had set the lower score because the test is relatively new.
State Superintendent Eric Mackey explained that after 91% of students passed last year, some board members felt the bar may have been set too low. Many third graders may be moving forward without strong enough reading skills, which could lead to future struggles in school. Mackey also noted that without proper reading skills by the fourth grade, students often fall further behind.
To help students who need extra support, the state is asking for $52 million to provide reading interventions. Although final data is still being collected, preliminary reports show that about 1,832 third graders were held back due to reading deficits, while others moved on through exemptions or portfolios of work.
