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Third Grade Guarantee

Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee 

You may have heard about a law called the Third Grade Guarantee. The purpose is to make sure all students know how to read at a proficient level by the end of the third grade. State law requires that all third-grade students take the Ohio State Test in reading and reach a promotion score of 690 or a reading subscore of 48 to be promoted to fourth-grade reading.  Students were exempted from this law for a few years, however, they have reinstated the promotion requirements.  The law allows for certain exceptions to the Third Grade Guarantee, such as for students with disabilities and some English language learners. 

 

Students will have two opportunities during their third grade year to take the test.  If students are unable to reach that score, the alternate NWEA MAP score they need to receive is 195.  

It is our goal to make sure that all students are “on track” for a successful experience at Valley View Primary. Reading is an important skill that can affect student achievement in all areas.  The law also requires all districts and schools to screen all K-3 students to determine whether they are on track or not on track to read on grade level. Each learner identified as a struggling reader is required to receive a Reading Improvement and Monitoring Plan to individualize reading instruction based on the learner’s identified needs. The services provided through these plans must be grounded in scientific evidence to ensure progress toward proficient reading. 

What happens if my child does not meet the promotion score?

  • Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, a student’s parent or guardian, in consultation with the student’s reading teacher and principal, may request that a student be promoted to fourth grade regardless of the student’s score on Ohio’s State Test for grade 3 English language arts.

  • To make this request, please use the Exemption Letter template found in the right-hand sidebar -->

  • Students promoted to fourth grade through this exemption must continue to receive intensive reading instruction and high-dosage tutoring until the student can read at grade level.

How can you help your child?  

  • Ensure your child is at school every day.  Research has shown that students that miss even one day a month of school for any reason can have difficulty learning to read by the third grade, achieving in middle school, and graduating from high school.  

  • Encourage your child to read at home.  Find books of interest at the local or school library.

  • Expose your child to challenging vocabulary and explain the meaning of new words that they have read or heard in conversation.  

 

If you are interested in learning more about the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, please visit the Ohio Department of Education Website and search third-grade reading guarantee.  If you have any questions about your child’s progress in reading, reading improvement plans (RIMPS), or how to specifically help your child, please contact your child’s teacher.

 

If you are interested in learning more about the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, please visit the Third Grade Reading Guarantee page at the Ohio Department of Education website.  If you have any questions about your child’s progress in reading, reading improvement plans (RIMPS), or how to specifically help your child, please contact your child’s teacher.

Third Grade Reading Guarantee Exemption Resources:

Parent Request Exemption Talking Points

Parent Request Exemption Letter (fillable)