Third Grade Reading Guarantee Overview
Beginning this year, 3rd graders who score below the designated
score on the Reading Ohio Achievement Assessment will be retained
in accordance with the requirements of SB 316.
The Third Grade Guarantee requires all students in grades K-3 to be administered a reading diagnostic assessment by September 30. The Austintown Local Schools used the Department of Education released Diagnostic for grades K-3 and the STAR Reading Diagnostic to identify who was "On-Track" or "Not on Track". Our teachers readily complete individualized student assessments/diagnostics and use the results and information to plan for intervention to meet each child's individual needs.
The Department of Education requires each school district to identify students as “On Track,” (meaning that their performance meets expectations for students entering the current grade level) or “NOT on Track” (meaning that their performance is below expectations for the grade level to which they are entering.)
This new law requires Ohio school districts to develop a reading improvement monitoring plan (RIMP) for all students who are “not on track” according to the diagnostic assessments. Parents of students who are "NOT on Track" will receive communication from the district.
Ohio Department of Education Information on the Third Grade Guarantee
Third Grade Reading Guarantee Family Resources
The ability to read is the foundation of learning. Research shows that children who are not reading at a third grade level by the end of grade three will likely have trouble learning in all classroom subjects in higher grades.
About the Third Grade Guarantee
Ohio's Third Grade Guarantee ensures that every struggling reader gets the support he or she needs to be able to learn and achieve.
How it Works
In kindergarten through grade three, schools will evaluate all children to determine if they are reading as well as they should be. If a child appears to be falling behind in reading, the school will immediately start a reading improvement plan.
Reading Improvement Plan - This plan will address each student's unique reading problems. Schools will monitor the plan to make sure the student's reading is improving.
Schools will work closely with parents to help create a remedy and for parents to be able to support the plan.
Advancing to Fourth Grade
Except for students with special circumstances, students must meet a minimum score on the state reading test to move on to the fourth grade. In 2013-2014, the minimum score for advancement is 392, increasing by 2 points yearly until 2017-2018. This score must be attained either in the Fall or Spring administration of the state reading test.
If the student remains in the third grade, the school must provide a high-performing reading teacher and 90 minutes of reading instruction each school day.
The Law states: A student can still take fourth grade classes in all other subjects, if the student is ready. Schools can move students to the fourth grade in the middle of the year, if the student's reading improves.
Austintown Local Schools will look at the promotion during a school year on a case-by-case basis in accordance with our district mid-year promotion policy.
How it Helps
Studies on Florida's version of the Third Grade Guarantee show that students who remained in the third grade and received intensive reading instruction, improved dramatically in overall school performance in years following.
Resources to Help Your Child
Resources to provide parents with the tools and information to help their children learn to read and develop other skills to succeed.
Resources from INFOhio
- BookFLIX - Pairs classic video storybooks with related nonfiction e-books. This engaging combination of read-aloud stories and read-along nonfiction builds phonemic awareness; develops phonics decoding skills; and strengthens vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension, all while introducing children to a world of knowledge and exploration. Many of the nonfiction titles cover STEM and social studies standards. Lexile scores are included.
- The Early World of Learning - offers students in grades K-3 narrated stories, interactive reading games, leveled reading practice, and an online encyclopedia. Early World of Learning's 'Welcome to Reading' section offers new readers stories, games, and activities to help them increase their skills. Two other areas on the site--Trek's Travels and Know It--help children develop vocabulary and comprehension. Early World of Learning also offers teachers a quiz feature that lets them assign quizzes and track progress on a variety foundational skills, including early childhood themes such as colors and numbers. Teachers can assign quizzes to specific students and even design their own quizzes to complement classroom discussion.