The Read to Achieve program
is part of The Excellent
Public Schools Act of N.C
(NC House Bill 950)
which became law in July 2012.
The law outlines that if a 3rd grader
is not reading at grade level by the
end of 3rd grade, they will have to
either repeat the third grade or
attend reading camp.
KEY QUESTIONS
• What steps are being taken to get your 3rd grader reading
at or above grade level?
• How will the State determine if your child is reading at
grade level?
• What will happen if your child isn’t reading at grade level?
• How can you help your child with his or her reading?
What steps are being taken to get your 3rd grader reading at grade level?
We are providing strong instruction in literacy.
What steps are being taken to get your 3rd grader reading at grade level?
We are providing extra help to students who need it.
What steps are being taken to get your 3rd grader reading at grade level?
We are gathering information on your child’s progress.
Your child’s teacher
will continue to
observe and monitor
their progress.
Your child can take up
to 3 passages per
week. Passages are
aligned to specific
standards your child
needs to master.
These assessments
include mCLASS and
CASE 21, along with
the EOG.
What steps are being taken to get your 3rd grader reading at grade level?
We are sharing information on your child’s progress.
We’ll talk about this
specifically during
conferences, emails,
or reports home.
We’ll share standards
and scores.
You will get formal
reports, including the
Home Connect letter.
What steps are being taken to get your 3rd grader reading at grade level?
We are sharing information on your child’s progress.
How will the State determine that your
child is reading at grade level?
How will the State determine that your child is reading at grade level?
Did your child pass the reading section of
the EOGs?
 Yes. Your child moves to
the 4th grade.
 No. Your child’s teacher
will look at:
Results of portfolio
• mCLASS
• PEP (if applicable)
• Reading passages
-or- Read to Achieve Test
How will the State determine that your child is reading at grade level?
Does your child have a successful portfolio
or did they pass the Read to Achieve Test?
 Yes. Your child moves to
the 4th grade.
 No. It will be determined
that your child is not
reading at grade level.
Your child will be enrolled
in a free, districtsponsored reading camp.
How will the State determine that your child is reading at grade level?
How is the student portfolio compiled to
determine proficiency?
• In order to get credit for the portfolio the state has set some very
prescribed guidelines, which include:
• Reading passages for 12 of the English/Language Arts standards
• Each reading passage has 5 questions, and students must
correctly answer 4 of the 5 questions correctly to get credit for
that passage
• Each student must “pass” 3 reading passages in each standard
to get credit for that standard
• This means each student will need to have 36 passages (3
passages X 12 standards) with 4 or more correctly answered
questions to complete the portfolio
How will the State determine that your child is reading at grade level?
How will the portfolio be implemented in
our school?
• We are required to follow certain guidelines for the portfolio
implementation, including:
• Only 3 passages per week
• Passages must be kept secure (similar to testing guidelines)
• How will we assign the portfolio passages?
• Passages will be assigned T, W, Th, with make-ups on Fridays
• Students will work on them first thing each day
• If students do not complete in the morning, they will be allotted
additional time during the day
• Periodically, we will have “catch up” weeks, where students will
have the opportunity to complete passages in any standard that
they did not get 4 or 5 answers correct
TRADITIONAL CALENDAR STUDENTS
If your child is determined to be reading
below grade level, you have two choices:
 Attend Camp
 Decline Camp
• Your child be enrolled in a free,
district-sponsored reading
camp.
• Your child will repeat the 3rd
grade.
• Your child will receive
additional instruction and
support in reading.
• Reading camp is scheduled for
6 weeks during the summer
break.
• The law does not allow
us to grant exceptions.
If your child is determined to be reading
below grade level, you have two choices:
 Attend Camp
 Decline Camp
• Your child will be retested at
the end of camp and move into
the 4th grade.
• Your child will repeat the 3rd
grade.
• Children who are still not
reading at grade level will have
a ‘retention label’ and receive
additional support in 4th grade.
• The retention label will be
removed if the child
demonstrates proficiency by
mid-year of 4th grade.
• The law does not allow
us to grant exceptions.
How can I help my child with his or her reading?
• Read together for at least 20
minutes each day!
• Attend parent-teacher
conferences for information
• Use Achieve 3000 at home
• Support vocabulary acquisition
• Visit the library
• Insure your students are present
and on time for school
Where can I find out more information
about the Read to Achieve Law?
• WCPSS website
• www.wcpss.net/parents
• North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
• http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/