Experts say early literacy gaps don’t just affect academics — they can shape long-term outcomes well beyond the classroom.

The first major moment in a child’s schooling — what many educators call the "make-or-break" year for literacy — is third grade. By the end of third grade, students are expected to transition from ...

A new Oklahoma bill inspired by Mississippi's success aims to improve literacy by retaining third-graders who fail reading tests and implementing summer academies.

New data shows 87.3% of Hoosier third graders demonstrated proficient reading skills on the IREAD exam in 2024-25. (Getty Images) Indiana’s latest reading assessment scores showed the largest ...

Arkansas students entering the third grade at public schools and open enrollment charter schools this fall will be the first cohort to be retained if they don’t meet literacy expectations, a policy ...

There are thousands of students in Indiana who were in 3rd grade last school year and did not advance to the 4th grade this school year. The IREAD retention law now requires 3rd grade students to be ...