Alabama Literacy Act

By 3rd grade, students must be proficient in foundational reading skills in order to comprehend texts. If they are unsuccessful, they will have difficulty understanding grade level reading material. As a result, students begin to fall further behind each year. Students also need strong reading skills in order to learn other school subjects such as science, social studies, writing, and even math.

If your child is reading below grade level reading standards or is struggling with reading, his/her teacher will inform you of the reading difficulty that has been identified. The school will provide your child with additional reading instruction and support, and you will be given strategies to help your child at home.

If your child is reading below grade level expectations entering 3rd grade, you will be informed that he/she may not be promoted to 4th grade unless sufficient progress is made. Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, if your child does not demonstrate sufficient reading skills at the end of 3rd grade, you will receive notification that he/she may not be promoted to 4th grade.

Good cause exemptions allow students who are reading below grade level to be promoted to the 4th grade but still receive interventions and other supports. The good cause exemptions apply to:

1. Students with limited English proficiency with less than two years of instruction in an English Language Learner program;
2. Students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) indicates that participation in statewide accountability assessment program is not appropriate;
3. Students with a disability whose IEP or Section 504 plan indicates the student has received intensive remediation for two years but still demonstrates deficiency in reading or was previously retained in kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade;
4. Students who have received intensive intervention in reading for two or more years but have been previously retained in kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade for a total of two years.
5. Third grade students who demonstrate an acceptable level of reading proficiency on an ALSDE approved supplemental standardized assessment or reading portfolio may be promoted to 4th grade.

Families are the backbone of student learning. Families should talk regularly with teachers and ask questions about their child’s progress.

For specific tips about how to help children at home, visit the A+ Education Partnership website.