It is the goal of the Florida Legislature that every student read at or above grade level. The practice of socially promoting struggling readers, or allowing them to move on to the next grade without demonstrating the skills needed to become successful readers, deprives students of the opportunity to "read to learn".

Section 1008.25, Florida Statutes - (Public school student progression; remedial instruction; reporting requirements) ensures that no student is promoted from third grade without demonstrating proficiency in reading. This law also requires districts to establish a comprehensive program for student progression that gives all students the opportunity to learn to read and to read to learn!

Parents

Options for Parents of Students with Identified Reading Deficiencies
"FAMILIES BUILDING BETTER READERS" parent workshops may be coming to your area! Building Better Readers family workshops are for parents of kindergarten through third grade students. Parents who participate in these workshops will learn about simple activities they can use with their children to improve reading performance. Workshops are scheduled to begin at 6:30pm and conclude at approximately 8:30pm. Be sure to check back frequently for updated information on the workshops.

In addition, The Florida Center for Reading Research has developed some suggestions for helping your child learn to read, as well as links to other resources ranging from helpful articles at PBS.org to online games.

Read to Learn Brochure
Read to Learn: Critical Information for Third Grade Parents/Read to Learn: provides information to help parents of third-grade students understand legislative provisions regarding student progression . The brochure is available in English (pdf).

Technical Assistance Documents for the 2007- 08 School Year

K-12: 2007-142: Third Grade Student Progression (pdf) - provides updated information on third grade progression issues.  Includes information on: student portfolios, testing and assessment, tier three students and transitional classrooms, options for parents of struggling readers, summer reading camps, mid-year promotion, Exceptional Student Education (ESE) promotion issues, curriculum, and professional development.

Technical Assistance Documents for the 2006-07 School Year

K12 2006-84: Progress Monitoring Plans as Part of Assessment and Remediation (pdf)

Attachment: Guidance on Progress Monitoring Systems (pdf)

DPS Memo 2006-90: Third Grade Student Progression (pdf) - provides updated information on third grade progression issues.  Includes information on: student portfolios, testing and assessment, tier three students and transitional classrooms, options for parents of struggling readers, summer reading camps, mid-year promotion, ESE promotion issues, curriculum, and professional development.

Attachment: Third Grade Progression Question and Answer (pdf)

Technical Assistance Documents for the 2005-06 School Year

DPS Memo 05-151: Comparison of Individual Student Plans (pdf) - provides a chart that compares the elements of the individual student plans, addressing the purpose of each plan, requirements, parent involvement, service delivery, and suggestions for combining some of the plans to reduce or minimize paperwork, while advising how to ensure that all required components of each of the plans are included and addressed on the combined form.