Third Grade Promotion
Third Grade Promotion
Ensuring that all students read proficiently by the end of third grade is a shared responsibility and a critical milestone for long-term academic success.
Beginning at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, third-grade students are expected to meet a minimum reading standard to be promoted to fourth grade. This requirement aligns with the vision set forth in Arkansas' Right to Read Act, reinforcing the state's commitment to literacy as a foundation for lifelong learning, ensuring that every student receives the support needed to read by third grade.
Arkansas Department of Education Timeline Information
Background and the LEARNS Act
Arkansas is facing a critical challenge in third grade reading proficiency. Far too many of our students are falling behind national benchmarks, signaling a growing gap that demands urgent attention.
This milestone is not just an academic benchmark, it's a pivotal predictor of future academic success, high school graduation, and lifelong opportunity.
To ensure our students are reading by 3rd grade, the LEARNS Act charged the Arkansas Department of Education to update its requirements for 3rd grade promotion.
The LEARNS ACT outlines requirements for:
- Criteria for promotion to 4th grade
- Good cause exemptions
- Required supports and interventions
The goal is to intervene early, well before promotion decisions are necessary.
Early identification allows for timely intervention, reducing the need for retention decisions at the end of grade 3.
Good Cause Exemptions:
Under the Arkansas LEARNS Act, students who do not meet the third-grade reading standard may still be promoted to grade 4 if they qualify for a good cause exemption. These exemptions apply when a student does not meet the reading standard but meets specific criteria that warrant promotion.
Required Services for Identified students:
Students who do not meet the third-grade reading standard and are not promoted to grade 4 or promoted through a good cause exemption will receive intensive, targeted support to accelerate their reading development and progress toward grade-level proficiency.
Consistent Family Communication:
PRIS will communicate with families early and often to ensure you are informed partners in supporting your child's reading development. Communication will happen throughout the year.