More than 90 percent of students flagged for retention were promoted, a study finds. Low-income and Black third-graders were more likely to be held back because of poor reading scores.
Michigan third-grade reading
Posted inTalent & Education
More Michigan 3rd-graders struggled to read amid COVID, remote learning
African-American and low-income third-graders were far more likely to be flagged for possible retention due to low reading test scores than their white or non-poor classmates. How many students are actually being held back remains unclear.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan schools revolt, won’t flunk struggling third-grade readers
The families of almost 3,500 Michigan third-graders received letters recommending they be held back in grade because they scored poorly on a reading test. The actual number who flunk is likely to be much less than that.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion: Want to boost 3rd-grade reading? Expand Michigan’s free preschool
We know one sure way to improve learning, and that’s free, high-quality preschool. We need to expand it so every eligible child has access.
Posted inTalent & Education
Gov. Whitmer against expanding Michigan’s read-or-flunk law to 4th-graders
An expansion of the controversial third-grade law that recommends retention for students more than a grade level behind in reading was approved by a Senate committee Wednesday.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan’s 3rd-grade read-or-flunk law may expand to 4th grade next year
If passed, the Republican bill could impact thousands of additional students across two grades next year. Critics say expanding the controversial law is a mistake, given the disruption to learning among all grade levels during the pandemic.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan GOP: Cancel standardized tests and 3rd grade reading law this year
With just one month before students are to take the state M-STEP, it’s uncertain what test they’ll take, or whether Michigan’s read-or-flunk law for third graders makes sense during a pandemic.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Let’s not flunk third-graders for low reading scores in a pandemic
Tests are fine. But making kids worry they may be held back in third grade for poor reading skills in the middle of a pandemic is nuts.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Amend third-grade reading law, U.P. school superintendents urge
“Flunking a student is immediately traumatic and is more likely to be experienced by those students who are categorized as poor, male and/or minority,” the group of Upper Peninsula school superintendents writes.
Posted inTalent & Education
Frustrated by teacher shortages, Michigan educators offer their solutions
Want to solve Michigan’s teacher shortage? A new report skips policymakers and asks the state’s teachers what they would do. More class support and financial incentives to new teachers would help, they say.