Imagine trying to navigate the
challenging waters of fourth, fifth and sixth grade science, social
studies, and English unable to read. Unfortunately, this is the case for
too many Palmetto State children, who are "socially promoted" based on
seat time alone rather than proficiency. So how do we help ensure
students have this fundamental tool for academic success? New research
from Arizona supports one of our key initiatives that answers this
question.
The Grand Canyon State
has long been on the cutting edge of education transformation, and we
could learn much from them. One innovative policy that Arizona recently
implemented is called Move On When Reading. This is simply a
benchmark requirement mandating that any third grade student without
sufficient reading competency be prevented from advancing to the next
grade until she is ready. While this change was met with the inevitable
opposition, the results speak for themselves. When the law was passed,
there were an estimated 4,300 third graders who would be retained based
on the law. However, since its passage, the Move on When Reading mandate
has caused school systems to focus on helping their students achieve
the necessary competency through additional support like tutoring and
summer school. Now it is estimated that the number of students likely
to be held back is well under 750! This is a truly impressive
educational triumph, and it came during a time when school budgets were
decreasing. With our new Read to Succeed law, struggling young
South Carolina students should finally get the help they need as well.
Hopefully we will soon fill this space with Arizona-like results.
