Up to half of young readers at high risk

What happened

Fall reading screening found 36% of kindergartners, 48% of first graders and 52% of second graders at high risk for reading problems. Of the third graders tested, about 78% were high risk. High-risk K-3 students get an extra 2.5 hours of reading help each week. Board members asked about holding students back and longer summer school, but nothing was decided.

Why it matters to families

Children who can't read well by third grade often struggle in every subject later. The board is weighing bigger changes, like tying summer school to promotion.

The evidence

The October 14, 2026 meeting recording contains the director of instruction's fall reading screening data by grade and the board discussion that followed.

The source