The Oklahoma State Department of Education released the state’s reading test scores for current third graders to see if they are eligible to pass on to the fourth grade.
The Guthrie school district received their numbers with the state’s Reading Sufficiency Act (RSA). The report shows 265 students, including Individualized Educational Plan students, took the test with 56 (21%) scoring Unsatisfactory.
However, with the Good Cause exemptions that number was lowered to 51. School officials believe that number will decrease even more with portfolio students and seven students on the bubble.
Prior to the state-wide testing, the school district identified 79 students as “at risk”.
151 students (57%) scored Proficient and 46 (17.4%) students scored Limited Knowledge.
The 51 Unsatisfactory students are taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills this week. If any student scores in the 45 percentile or higher they will not have to be remediated. If the student does not pass that percentile they will participate in a four-week summer reading academy to attempt to pass. The final plan of action to advance to the fourth grade reading would be to take another Iowa Test after the summer reading program.
Students who fail all four steps would take the transitional third grade class with fourth grade studies with the exception of third grade reading.
“Nothing is more fundamental to a child’s education than the ability to read, and it is our responsibility to educators to see to it that all children have the resources necessary to gain this vital skill before they slip further and further behind. We are moving in the right direction,” State Superintendent Janet Barresi said.
Bill sent to Gov. Fallin
House Bill 2625 received a 83-6 vote from the House on Monday to make changes to the RSA. This bill adds several ways for students to advance to the fourth grade, even if they didn’t meet all of the requirements currently in statute.
The bill would allow parents, two teachers, a principal and a reading specialist to help decide whether a third grader has the reading skills to advance to the fourth grade.
The governor can sign or veto the bill.
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