Should We Retain Kids to Raise Reading Achievement?

Many states are adopting “reading by grade 3” policies to improve student reading achievement in the early grades. Some of these policies include retention for students who are unable to read at the end of third grade, giving them an additional year with intense reading services to help them catch up with their peers.

Timothy Shanahan, a Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Director of the Center for Literacy, responds to the following question “Should We Retain Kids to Raise Reading Achievement?” Professor Shanahan highlights Florida’s literacy-based promotion policy as one of the key reasons why states are adopting “reading by grade 3” policies. The research on Florida’s literacy-based promotion policy suggests it’s working and this research is giving Professor Shanahan pause on whether retention can raise student reading achievement. Take a look and stay tuned as this is only Part I of Timothy Shanahan’s blog.

Should We Retain Kids to Raise Reading Achievement? Part I 

 

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