A number of Canton’s third-grade kids who were at risk of failing will instead be advancing to fourth grade in the fall.
The students had been considered at risk for retention in third grade because they weren't able to pass the reading section of the Ohio Achievement Assessment. Under a law known as the Ohio Third Grade Reading Guarantee law, students cannot enter fourth grade without successfully passing the reading requirement.
The 34 students were successful in passing the test thanks to an intensive summer reading program in which they participated. They then were able to pass an alternative exam, known as the Terra Nova Reading Assessment.
Approximately 14% of the 672 third-grade students in the Canton City School District still remain at risk for being retained, because they have not been able to demonstrate reading ability at the third-grade level. Sixty-two students didn't pass the first alternative exam and awaited instead the results of another test.
Adrian Allison, the school superintendent, said that the district stands ready to help those students who are retained, and will do its utmost to ensure they learn to read successfully.
Canton school district officials could consider working with brochure printers to create a booklet that will help the third-graders to learn to read. They might consider working with an illustrator as well as a writer to create the booklet.
