StrategicPlan-Phase2 - Flipbook - Page 24
24 STRATEGIC PLAN - PHASE 2
PRIORITY 02:
READY TO READ
All Maryland students are proficient in reading by
the end of third grade, and those who are not have
the necessary supports to become proficient.
Research shows that the development and mastery of early literacy skills are a strong predictor of later school reading
and math achievement. It is crucial that all Maryland students are able to successfully transition from learning to read
to reading to learn. Reading proficiently is more and more important after third grade, and students that are behind are
at higher risk of not finishing high school ready for college and career.
Thousands of Maryland children reach fourth grade without learning to read proficiently. The shortfall is especially
pronounced among low-income children. Failure to read proficiently is linked to higher rates of school dropout, which
limits individual earning potential as well as Maryland’s competitiveness and productivity. Reading proficiently by the
end third grade is a crucial marker for every Maryland child’s educational development.
Fortunately, much is already known about the science of how children learn to read and how to teach and develop
reading skills. The problem is that policies are too fragmented, practices too segmented by children’s age and grade,
and key preparation and intervention programs too limited to realize positive results at scale.
MARYLAND ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS GRADE 3 OUTCOME ANALYSIS:
2021 GRADE 3 TO 2022 GRADE 4
32% of students who were not proficient on their third grade test were proficient on their fourth grade test.
5% of students who were proficient on their third grade test were not proficient on their fourth grade test.