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Results from the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program Summative Reading Subset test administered to Alabama third graders in the spring were released Tuesday, July 12.

At Andalusia Elementary, 140 third graders were tested with 118 on or above grade level for 84.29 percent and 22 students or 15.71 percent below grade level.

At Opp Elementary, 85 third graders were tested with 79 on or above grade level for 92.94 percent and six students or 7.06 percent below grade level.

In Covington County Schools, 231 third graders were tested with 204 on or above grade level for 88.31 percent and 27 students or 11.69 percent below grade level.

At Fleeta, 22 third graders were tested with 19 on or above grade level for 86.36 percent and three students or 13.64 percent below grade level.

At Pleasant Home, 38 third graders were tested with 37 on or above grade level for 97.37 percent and one student or 2.63 percent below grade level.

At Red Level, 37 third graders were tested with 28 on or above grade level for 75.68 percent and nine students or 24.32 percent below grade level.

At Straughn Elementary, 90 third graders were tested with 83 for 92.22 percent on or above grade level and seven students or 7.78 percent below grade level.

At W.S. Harlan Elementary, 44 third graders were tested with 37 on or above grade level for 84.09 percent and seven students or 15.91 percent below grade level.

ACAP is helping educators better prepare for the needs of students for the coming school year. Although school leaders have had access to the reading results since mid-May, the Alabama State Department of Education decided to make the results available to the public earlier than previously scheduled. All reading results were to initially be released in September along with the release of other ACAP subject results (English Language Arts, math, and science).

However, with the full implementation of the Alabama Literacy Act (ALA) underway, which was passed into law in 2019, there is a heightened sense of accountability to make sure every possible resource is afforded to educators, parents, and students. The ALA requires students who are identified as struggling readers in grades kindergarten through third grade (K-3) be provided intensive reading instruction, frequent monitoring of their literacy progress, and a Read-at-Home plan for families to participate. Those who have not made substantial progress towards proficiency in reading before the end of their third grade year may not be promoted to fourth grade beginning in the fall of 2023.

The ACAP summative reading data released today shows that 78 percent of Alabama third graders are reading on or above grade level, and 22 percent are not reading on grade level. A total of 52,590 students were assessed with 11,725 not yet at grade level.

However, that by no means indicates that 22 percent of third graders would be kept back were the ALA retention piece in effect.

There are Good Cause exemptions that allow students who are reading below grade level to be promoted to the fourth grade; however, they will still receive additional support. Students with limited English proficiency with less than three years of instruction in an English Language Learner program; students with a disability whose IEP or Section 504 plan indicates that the student has received intensive remediation for two years but still demonstrates deficiency in reading or was previously retained in kindergarten, first, second, or third grade; and students who have received intensive intervention in reading for two or more years but have been previously retained in kindergarten, first, second, third grade for a total of two years would all receive Good Cause exemptions.

Additionally, students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) indicates that participation in a statewide accountability assessment program is not appropriate are exempt from showing proficiency.

Third grade students who demonstrated an acceptable level of reading proficiency on an ALSDE approved supplemental standardized assessment may be promoted to the fourth grade. This is taking place in conjunction with Summer Reading Camp to provide students an additional opportunity to gain needed instruction and demonstrate this on a state assessment.

The ALA law requires that all students in grades K-3 are assessed on a state-approved early reading assessment a minimum of three times during the academic year to identify levels of proficiency and determine areas of deficiency and guide instructional needs.

When areas of deficiency are identified, the classroom teacher and others work together to develop a Student Reading Improvement Plan (SRIP).