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Third Grade Reading Proficiency: Percent of children in NC (Total) who are proficient in reading at end of Third Grade
Current Value
48.5%
Definition
Comparison
Story Behind the Curve
The Third Grade Reading Proficiency graph represents the percentage of children in North Carolina (Total) who were found to be proficient in reading at end of third grade.
The graph includes data for academic years, 2016-2017 through 2023-2024. (Note that no data are available for academic year 2019-2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.)
Third grade reading proficiency percentages show a decline of greater than 9% between (academic year) 2016-2017 and (academic year) 2023-2024.
The greatest decline corresponds with the COVID-19 pandemic, when proficiency dropped by 12 percentage points (from 57% in the 2018-2019 school year to 45% in the 2020-2021 school year).
Since 2021, third grade reading proficiency percentages have risen annually, reaching 48.6% for the 2023-2024 school year.
Indicator Notes
Definition:
North Carolina General Statutes define "reading proficiency" as "reading at or above the third grade level by the end of a student's third grade year, demonstrated by the results of the State-approved standardized test of reading comprehension administered to third grade students." [§ 115C-83.3. Definitions]
Why is this Important?
The stated goal and purpose of North Carolina's Read to Achieve Program are to:
- ensure that every student is reading at or above grade level by the end of third grade and that their reading proficiency continues to progress "so that he or she can read, comprehend, integrate, and apply complex texts needed for secondary education and career success,"
- identify reading developmental difficulties "early as possible,"
- ensure that students receive appropriate "instructional and support services" and "literary interventions" to address difficulty with reading development and to remediate reading deficiencies,"
- ensure that each student and their parent or guardian are "continuously informed of the student's academic needs and progress, and to
- "determine that progression from one grade to another be based, in part, upon proficiency in reading."
[§ 115C-83.1 & 115C-83.2]
Additional Information:
The Percent of Children Who are Proficient in Reading at End of Third Grade indicator is aligned with HNC2030.
End of Grade tests are administered the last 10 days of the school year.
Link to References and Reports:
https://www.dpi.nc.gov/all-students-and-subgroup-performance/open
https://www.dpi.nc.gov/data-reports
2409_SLA-1_Student-Test-Performance-Results_Attach-1_409906n3k3ffeaideqlxjbajs3rqsl.pdf
State Testing Results (Green Book) | NC DPI
Chapter 115C - Article 8 (NC General Statutes)
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