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 2008-09 School Year

DPS Memo: 2009-019: Alternative Standardized Reading Assessment and Use of Student Portfolio for Good Cause Promotion (pdf) ? provides guidance for revised SBE Rule 6A-1.094221: Alternative Standardized Reading Assessment and Use of Student Portfolio for Good Cause Promotion including information on the standardized reading assessments currently approved by the Department of Education, the process by which districts may request to use a different standardized reading assessment, and guidelines for the use of the student portfolio for good cause promotion.