Video: State Lawmakers Consider Upping the Ante on 3rd Grade Reading Requirements

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JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) -State lawmakers debate raising the bar for third grade reading requirements. Mississippi currently requires 3rd grade students to read at least the third grade level before being passed to the 4th grade.

Many feared that would lead to one out of four third graders failing but the passing rate turned out to be 92% statewide. Now a new bill would require 3rd graders to read above the third grade level starting in 2019.

Educators are cautiously optimistic about pushing the requirements higher.

“Our school district was very successful with the third grade reading gate last year so I feel confident that we will just continue to keep teaching kids how to read and be successful in years to come.”

Some opponents say jumping the level so quickly might be too expensive because districts would have to hire even more literacy coaches in order to get third graders reading above their grade level.