The Read to Achieve program is part of The Excellent Public Schools Act of N.C

2. The Read to Achieve program is part of The Excellent Public Schools Act of N.C (NC House Bill 950) which became law in July 2012.

3. The law outlines that if a 3rd grader is not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade, they will have to either repeat the third grade or attend reading camp.

4. KEY QUESTIONS • What steps are being taken to get your 3rd grader reading at or above grade level? • How will the State determine if your child is reading at grade level? • What will happen if your child isn’t reading at grade level? • How can you help your child with his or her reading?

5. What steps are being taken to get your 3rd grader reading at grade level? We are providing strong instruction in literacy.

6. What steps are being taken to get your 3rd grader reading at grade level? We are providing extra help to students who need it.

7. What steps are being taken to get your 3rd grader reading at grade level? We are gatheringinformation on your child’s progress. Your child’s teacher will continue to observe and monitor their progress. Your child can take up to 3 passages per week. Passages are aligned to specific standards your child needs to master. These assessments include mCLASS and CASE 21, along with the EOG.

8. What steps are being taken to get your 3rd grader reading at grade level? We are sharinginformation on your child’s progress. We’ll talk about this specifically during conferences, emails, or reports home. We’ll share standards and scores. You will get formal reports, including the Home Connect letter.

9. What steps are being taken to get your 3rd grader reading at grade level? We are sharinginformation on your child’s progress.

10. How will the State determine that your child is reading at grade level?

11. How will the State determine that your child is reading at grade level? Did your child pass the reading section of the EOGs? • No. Your child’s teacher will look at: • Results of portfolio • • mCLASS • PEP (if applicable) • Reading passages • -or- Read to Achieve Test • Yes. Your child moves to the 4th grade.

12. How will the State determine that your child is reading at grade level? Does your child have a successful portfolio or did they pass the Read to Achieve Test? • Yes. Your child moves to the 4th grade. • No. It will be determined that your child is not reading at grade level. Your child will be enrolled in a free, district-sponsored reading camp.

13. How will the State determine that your child is reading at grade level? How is the student portfolio compiled to determine proficiency? • In order to get credit for the portfolio the state has set some very prescribed guidelines, which include: • Reading passages for 12 of the English/Language Arts standards • Each reading passage has 5 questions, and students must correctly answer 4 of the 5 questions correctly to get credit for that passage • Each student must “pass” 3 reading passages in each standard to get credit for that standard • This means each student will need to have 36 passages (3 passages X 12 standards) with 4 or more correctly answered questions to complete the portfolio

14. How will the State determine that your child is reading at grade level? How will the portfolio be implemented in our school? • We are required to follow certain guidelines for the portfolio implementation, including: • Only 3 passages per week • Passages must be kept secure (similar to testing guidelines) • How will we assign the portfolio passages? • Passages will be assigned T, W, Th, with make-ups on Fridays • Students will work on them first thing each day • If students do not complete in the morning, they will be allotted additional time during the day • Periodically, we will have “catch up” weeks, where students will have the opportunity to complete passages in any standard that they did not get 4 or 5 answers correct

15. TRADITIONAL CALENDAR STUDENTS If your child is determined to be reading below grade level, you have two choices: • Attend Camp • Decline Camp • Your child be enrolled in a free, district-sponsored reading camp. • Your child will receive additional instruction and support in reading. • Reading camp is scheduled for 6 weeks during the summer break. • Your child will repeat the 3rd grade. • The law does not allow us to grant exceptions.

16. If your child is determined to be reading below grade level, you have two choices: • Attend Camp • Decline Camp • Your child will be retested at the end of camp and move into the 4th grade. • Children who are still not reading at grade level will have a ‘retention label’ and receive additional support in 4th grade. • The retention label will be removed if the child demonstrates proficiency by mid-year of 4th grade. • Your child will repeat the 3rd grade. • The law does not allow us to grant exceptions.

17. How can I help my child with his or her reading? • Read together for at least 20 minutes each day! • Attend parent-teacher conferences for information • Use Achieve 3000 at home • Support vocabulary acquisition • Visit the library • Insure your students are present and on time for school

18. Where can I find out more information about the Read to Achieve Law? • WCPSS website • www.wcpss.net/parents • North Carolina Department of Public Instruction • http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/