A new law that will hold back students who can’t read by third grade is intended to boost early reading skills so that retention is not necessary. For this to work, state must take steps to help low-education parents help their children at home
Through focused early literacy efforts, the West Ottawa School District is taking children with little to no English-language skills and preparing them to compete with white, more affluent peers.
Programs that help parents improve their early learning for their children, particularly children with developmental delays or disabilities, are critical.
“Read or flunk” laws don’t work, but there are other ideas and programs that can have children reading at grade level at the critical juncture of third-fourth grade.
Emphasis on literacy and testing to monitor progress are credited with a rise in student learning in Florida, particularly for low-income and minority students. But some ask, how much is too much?
