Fayetteville, WV (WOAY) This fall marks the start of the first school year that West Virginia’s 3rd Grade Success Act will be in effect. Passed by the House of Delegates in 2023, the legislation implements multiple measures meant to ensure that students meet appropriate math and reading standards at a critical time in their education. Director of Elementary Schools and Assessments Melissa Harrah at the Fayette County Board of Education says that third grade skills prepare students for the rest of their school careers.
“Third grade is a critical year. There’s a lot of research that shows that third grade is a predictor for success later in life. That’s really where students switch from learning to read to reading to learn. And so, if we don’t catch them by third grade, then they move on into more complex reading and math content without those good foundational skills.”
The Third Grade Success Act also requires third graders who don’t meet the appropriate standards to be held back. However, there are multiple ways for them to get those necessary skills and move on to fourth grade.
“We don’t traditionally retain students very often. There is not a lot of research that suggests that is an effective practice, but in the bill, it does require us to retain students who do not meet those cutoff scores on that end-of-year assessment. There are some things in place…for example, if they don’t meet that by the end of the school year, then they will have summer school opportunities, after-school opportunities, and then they have an opportunity to retake the test prior to the start of the school year.”
The legislation adds many new requirements to K-3 education, and with so many moving parts, West Virginia’s elementary teachers have a lot to keep up with. However, Harrah says that the schools of Fayette County are well equipped for student success.
“This has been something we’ve been working on for quite some time. And actually a lot of the components of the bill were things we already had in place. We’ve really been working hard to get the right components, the right products, and getting that implemented across the county consistently.”
For more information on the Third Grade Success Act, visit the West Virginia Department of Education website.
