JACKSON, MISS– The third grade reading gate. Statewide test results show that 5,600 third graders are behind their reading level.
32,000 third graders passed the test, as results showed Friday. The nearly 6,000 that failed have two more opportunities to take the test before school starts in August. If they don’t pass those times, they will repeat third grade.
If the students have to repeat third grade, they will also receive extra tutoring.
In many Mississippi school districts, up to thirty percent of their third graders failed the test. Clay County and Pearl River County school districts were the only two in the state to pass their entire third grade body. Only eleven schools statewide had every third grader pass.
The standard of testing requires third graders to meet a basic reading level–not the national proficiency level.
The next testing opportunity is next month.
