Woodlawn Board Gets 3rd Grade Promotion Update

WOODLAWN - Elementary Principal Zach Meyer gave the Woodlawn School Board some insight into what he plans to do to let parents know about a new state law that will retain 3rd graders who score at Level 1 on the state’s English-Language Arts (ELA) exam.Beginning with the current 2025-26 school year, 3rd grade students are expected to meet a minimum reading standard before being promoted to the 4th  grade. This requirement aligns with Arkansas’ Right to Read Act, and is part of the state’s LEARNS education plan.Students must earn a score of Level 2 or above on the 3rd grade Arkansas Teaching and Learning Assessment System (ATLAS) ELA test to verify their total literacy proficiency and be promoted.According the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondard Education, students who do not meet the 3rd grade reading standard and are not promoted to the 4th grade or promoted through a good cause exemption must receive intensive, targeted support to accelerate their reading development to achieve grade-level proficiency.Under the law, schools are required to monitor reading progress from kindergarten onward and provide targeted support to struggling students before 3rd grade.Meyer gave the overview of the new law during his academic update that was part of the monthly school board meeting held Monday night.He pointed out that students who have 504 or Individualized Education Program (IEP) plans, English learners and those students who may have gone through a traumatic event around testing time can be exempt from the rule (see related chart).3rd Grade Promotion LawMinimum Standard: Students must score Level 2 or above on the 3rd grade ATLAS ELA test, reflecting their total literacy proficiency, to be promoted.Early Identification: Schools are required to monitor reading progress from kindergarten onward and provide targeted support to struggling students before 3rd grad...