Governors, State Superintendents Focusing on Third Graders' Reading Skills
Students who aren't proficient readers early on are more likely to struggle later, and the third grade has developed into a critical signpost of a child's academic future. Research from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found third graders whose literacy skills fell short were four times more likely to drop out of school down the line.
To further conversation on the issue, Washington Post Live will host a forum Tuesday with three governors and six state education chiefs who will discuss plans for focusing on the third-grade literacy benchmark. Co-sponsored by the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, the event will be live-streamed at 9 a.m. Eastern time. (You find more information here.)
Tuesday's participants include Delaware Gov. Jack Markell; Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant; and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez. Also participating are state school superintendents from Georgia, Maryland, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Martinez - along with lawmakers in at least three other states -- wants to hold back students who aren't proficient readers by the end of the third grade. That's an approach that's gained popularity in recent years amidcontroversy over its effectiveness. Arizona, Oklahoma and Indiana have since passed legislation holding back
To further conversation on the issue, Washington Post Live will host a forum Tuesday with three governors and six state education chiefs who will discuss plans for focusing on the third-grade literacy benchmark. Co-sponsored by the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, the event will be live-streamed at 9 a.m. Eastern time. (You find more information here.)
Tuesday's participants include Delaware Gov. Jack Markell; Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant; and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez. Also participating are state school superintendents from Georgia, Maryland, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Martinez - along with lawmakers in at least three other states -- wants to hold back students who aren't proficient readers by the end of the third grade. That's an approach that's gained popularity in recent years amidcontroversy over its effectiveness. Arizona, Oklahoma and Indiana have since passed legislation holding back
