Ohio reading standard threatens retentions
The “Third Grade Reading Guarantee” is in effect this school year. In this video, TV2 Reporter Jen Bellissimo reports how a teacher and parent approach the test with students. In her story, Drew Parker covers the affects of retention on students and schools.
[rpavideo width = “600” caption = “In this video, TV2 Reporter Jen Bellissimo reports on the Third Grade Reading Guarantee.”]RPA_03_Bellissimo[/rpavideo]
Story by Drew Parker
KENT, OHIO– Third graders across Ohio will be tested for reading comprehension this October. Known as the “Third Grade Reading Guarantee,” the state has adopted a new policy in which any child not reading at a third grade level by the end of the academic year must be retained.
The first exam, to be taken October 8th, will provide educators with information on each student’s progress and improvement plan. For an acceptable score, students must get 392 out of 400 points (proficiency) to pass the grade in the spring. The upcoming fall test will inform teachers and administrators of specific struggles students may have, while the final spring test will determine if retentions are required.
Shannon Wade, a third grade teacher at Longcoy Elementary School in Kent, said third grade is a pivotal year for student reading skills.
“Third grade is the year that if you are not a proficient reader, you have a higher chance of dropping out of high school, going to jail, and other things,” Wade said. “It seems to be the at-risk year.”
Wade said she feels the reading guarantee will be a struggle, but something Longcoy students can overcome.
“The biggest challenge as with any school year is having enough instructional time to meet the needs of students as individuals,” Wade said.
Wade said Longcoy elementary is implementing new reading assessment data software to further prepare students for the fall and spring tests, and many teachers, like Wade, will go through special training to prepare for reading guarantee requirements.
The guarantee has been the source of controversy throughout the state for the past year, as many teachers, administrators, and parents feel retention is not the answer to reading problems.
Lori Slattery, director of instructional programs for Kent City Schools, said the district is not accustomed to retaining students, and feels better options may exist.
“I’m not sure retaining a student is the solution to a reading deficiency,” Slattery said. “Just because we hold them back that doesn’t make them able to read. If we could move them on to fourthgrade, we could set them up with interventions and try to get them on reading level.”
After the fall reading comprehension test, parents will be notified if their student is in a danger zone for retention.
Heather Elliot, a fifth grade teacher at Longcoy and the mother of a third grader at the school, said she chose not to discuss the possibility of retention with her daughter.
“I’m fortunate enough that my daughter is a good reader, but if I were a parent of a struggling student I would be very concerned about retention,” Elliot said. “If my child were struggling, I would hope there were other options instead of saying retention is the answer. There are other tools to help students succeed.”
[pullquote]“If my child were struggling, I would hope there were other options instead of saying retention is the answer. There are other tools to help students succeed.”[/pullquote]
For more information on the guarantee, visit http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning/Third-Grade-Reading-Guarantee.