15th Feb 2024

Read by Grade Three Law Repealed
school aged children reading books and a teacher helping a student reading
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Many bills signed by Governor Whitmer in 2023 are now law and will be going into effect in mid-February 2024. One of these laws is the repeal of the “Read by Grade Three” law, the result of which is that students will no longer be required to repeat their current grade level due to low reading scores.

In 2016 a law was put into effect which required third grade students to take an English language reading proficiency test (M-Step) to determine their reading level. The students that had insufficient reading assessment scores, based on the M-Step reading portion, would be held back the following school year, under most circumstances. Parents or legal guardians had the right to challenge by submitting a “Good Cause Exemption.” With the current change in the law, parents and legal guardians will be notified if their child is more than one reading level behind, but the student will not automatically be held back the following year. Those with low reading assessment scores will have intervention options that their parents or legal guardians will decide on. The schools will also be required to provide a reading intervention program and every district will be required to have an early literacy coach. Reading literacy for every student will be monitored starting in kindergarten and if they are not reading at their grade level, a teacher will prepare an Individual Reading Improvement Plan (IRIP).

Governor Whitmer says, “We are taking action to put power back into the parents’ hands so they can work with their child’s teachers and make decisions that are best for their family. Getting this done will offer parents more flexibility and ensure educators can focus on doing what they do best-helping students reach their full potential.”

Written by Beier Howlett

Read by Grade Three Law-State of Michigan Information

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