Students in grades K-3 complete diagnostic testing in September of each year. If the test results indicate that they are not-on-track to read at grade level by the end of the year, they receive remediation services based upon a Reading Improvement and Monitoring Plan.
For the 2013-14 school year, a third grader must attain a minimum cut score of 392 on the Grade 3 Reading OAA in order to be promoted to the fourth grade. This cut score will increase each year. A proficient score of 400 is the current benchmark that is used for accountability purposes on the Local Report Card.
A third grade student who does not meet the 392 cut score will have an opportunity to participate in a summer remediation program and take an OAA Alternative Assessment during the week of July 7, 2014. If they meet the cut score in the summer, they can be promoted to the fourth grade for the 2014-2015 school year. ODE has not announced any specifics about this alternative test or score requirements. As soon as this information is available, it will be shared with staff and parents.
Students who are retained in the third grade will receive a minimum of 90 minutes of third grade reading instruction per day by a teacher who has met the minimum teacher qualifications per the Third Grade Reading Guarantee legislation.
Students with disabilities (SWD) must meet the requirements of the TGRG. There are two ways a student on an IEP may qualify for an exemption. One, a student with significant cognitive delays who is participating in a significantly modified curriculum is exempt from all provisions of the law as determined by the IEP (Individual Education Plan) team. Two, if a SWD requires accommodations that are beyond the allowable accommodations as outlined by the law, they may be exempt from retention as determined by the IEP team, but they must comply with the other facets of the law.
A third grade student who has been retained may be eligible to participate in fourth grade level classes for other subjects, such as math, science and social studies, and may be eligible for a mid-year promotion to the fourth grade after attaining the cut score on the OAA Alternative Assessment. The district is developing a mid-year promotion policy for the retained third graders.
Parents do not have the right to refuse retention according the Third Grade Reading Guarantee legislation. If a student does not take the Grade 3 Reading OAA, a score of 0 is entered into state records and they will be retained.
For additional information, visit the Ohio Department of Education website: http://education.ohio.gov/. Keyword search: Third Grade Reading Guarantee.
Watch this video from the Ohio Department of Education to determine what the third grade reading guarantee means for you.
Third Grade Reading Guarantee
The following information is a summary of the state legislation. Individual decisions regarding students in the Willoughby-Eastlake schools affected by the legislation will be made at the building level.
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