Third Grade Literacy Policies: Identification, Intervention, Retention (Report & Podcast)

This paper examines policies to promote 3rd-grade reading proficiency, including early identification of and intervention for struggling readers, as well as retention as an action of last resort. The authors outline case studies in both Florida and New York City, and identify decisions policymakers must consider as they implement policies around 3rd-grade literacy.

Hear the researchers discuss this issue in this podcast, in which Schimke describes research on how retention policies can do more harm than good, especially if implemented poorly and without investments in the identification of reading problems in a child's early years and without good interventions in pre-K, kindergarten and early elementary school.