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New State Laws Could Affect Third Graders

Published December 1, 2011

Elementary school parents will receive a letter home from their child’s school by the end of this week.  The letter outlines new State laws regarding third grade promotion and required remediation for third grade students in need.  The State laws include:

  • Public Chapter 351 – Prohibits the promotion of any third grade student to the next grade level unless the student shows a basic understanding of the subject of reading as demonstrated by the student’s grades or standardized test scores.  It permits promotion if the student receives a researched based intervention prior to the start of the next school year (Senate Bill 1776/House Bill 2038).
  • Public Chapter 219 – Applies attendance laws to students participating in any remedial instruction that is required by the student’s school, including summer programs and after school instruction.  Decisions to require attendance shall be made by the principal who shall consider transportation available to the student (Senate Bill 0414/House Bill 788).

Public Chapter 351 will require all third grade students to have a basic understanding of reading prior to the promotion to fourth grade.  The law requires an intervention, using researched based instruction, to take place over the summer or prior to promotion in order for the student to be promoted to fourth grade.

Third grade is the first time students in Williamson County take the TCAP assessments, and for some parents it will be the first State assessment data they have received.  With TCAP, student test results are delivered for the core subjects of reading, math, social studies and science by achievement levels as indicated through cut scores.  Those achievement levels are outlined below:

·   Advanced – Superior mastery of grade level standards

·   Proficient – Mastery of grade level standards

·   Basic – Partial mastery of grade level standards

·   Below Basic – in accordance with the new law, if a third grade student scores at this level in Reading – summer intervention will be a requirement before promotion granted.

After the elementary school principal receives the TCAP results, those third grade students with a Below Basic score in reading will be identified and parents will be notified of the need for summer intervention.  The principal will indicate what the district and/or school will offer as intervention over the summer along with site locations and dates.  The principal will request a commitment of attendance or the parent must notify the principal of their intent to seek their own summer intervention through private services.  If the parent chooses private interventions (remediation), a certificate of participation will need to be presented to the principal upon completion.  The certificate must have dates of attendance, teacher name, contact information, a list of the instructional strategies used and a report of progress.

“Our schools will offer interventions and additional support to assist students in meeting expectations during the school year,” said Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools Denise Goodwin. “We encourage parents to take advantage of any offer of tutoring, at any and all grade levels for their children whether it’s before or after school or over the summer.”