BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In Alabama, 1,832 third graders will be held back this year, based on school districts’ reports.
Alabama State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey noted that holding students back later can have worse social effects.
Lorie Minton, whose son just started fourth grade in Hoover City Schools, questioned if she made the right academic decisions for him. She was worried about the stress of a single test, especially since her son has ADHD.
Minton appreciated her son’s third-grade teacher but felt that passing the reading test was crucial for promotion. If he didn’t pass, he would be held back.
The Alabama Literacy Act requires third graders to demonstrate sufficient reading skills to move to the fourth grade. Chilton County Schools had no retentions among its 550 third graders. Superintendent Corey Clements said that students who didn’t meet the standard had exemptions or passed secondary tests.
In Shelby County, Superintendent Lewis Brooks reported that only three of 1,500 third graders were retained. He emphasized the importance of students reading well to ensure they advance in their education.
State Senator Rodger Smitherman mentioned that lawmakers are working on improving school funding.