New law targets 3rd grade reading

Oconee School District’s first-year director of instruction is calling attention to provisions of a newly-passed law aimed at gauging how well third graders are reading. Ginger Hopkins says the legislation is titled, “Race to Succeed,” and while the objective is admirable it’s going to require an adjustment for affected third graders and their parents. According to Hopkins, the law will require interventions that will include the possibility that some third graders, whose reading falls below acceptable proficiency, will be looking at attending summer school. But the most striking aspect of the law, according to Hopkins, is the provision that it will be mandatory to hold back 3rd graders who don’t meeting the reading requirement.