The Line: 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency

January 13, 2017 – Reading proficiency is an important aspect to developing a quality foundation for students to advance through the education system. According to the Public Education Department, many third graders in New Mexico are not proficient in reading but are still passed to the next grade. PED officials told local media this week that most parents are not being notified when their students have fallen behind in reading.

“This is a real call to action,” Skandera said. “Doing nothing at this point is not an option. Clearly, something is not working, ” – PED Secretary Hanna Skandera says in the Santa Fe New Mexican

But officials from Albuquerque and Santa Fe dispute the PED allegations that districts are not informing parents about their students reading skills.

Governor Susana Martinez has called for an end to what is known as “social promotion,” or holding back students if they don’t meet grade level expectations. Proposals to require proficiency for students to move on in the third grade have failed in past legislative sessions.