North Carolina Read to Achieve
The Goal
“The goal of the State is to ensure that every student
read at or above grade level by the end of third
grade and continue to progress in reading proficiency
so that he or she can read, comprehend, integrate,
and apply complex text when needed for secondary
education and career success.”
Components of Read to Achieve

Comprehensive Plan for Reading Achievement

Kindergarten Entry Assessment Process

Facilitating Early Grade Reading Proficiency

Process for the Elimination of Social Promotion

Plan for Successful Reading Development of Retained
Students

Parent/Guardian Notification Process

Accountability Measures Process
What should I expect for my third
grader?
All third grade students will complete the third grade reading BOG at
the beginning of the school year.
Students will receive classroom instruction throughout the year focused
on the literacy skills and standards of the Common Core. Quality
instruction will address the skills needed to develop and promote
successful readers.
All third grade students will complete the third grade reading EOG at
the conclusion of the school year.
Students who are proficient on the reading EOG will be promoted to 4th
grade.
Non-proficient students will have an opportunity to complete the Read
to Achieve test and/or retake the EOG in reading.
Students who score proficient on either of these two assessments will
be promoted to 4th grade.
What should I expect for my third
grader who is not proficient?
Third grade students who are not proficient on the reading EOG may qualify for a “good cause exemption.”
Limited English Proficient students with fewer than two school years of instruction in ESL
Students with disabilities whose IEPs determine the use of extended standards and an alternative
assessment (Extend1)
Students with disabilities whose IEPs document two years or more of the use of intensive research based
reading interventions.
Students with disabilities whose IEPs indicate at least a two school year delay in educational performance.
Students who demonstrate reading proficiency appropriate for 3rd grade on an alternative assessment
(Read to Achieve Test) before or after summer reading camp
Students who demonstrate reading proficiency appropriate for 3rd grade on a local alternative assessment,
Reading 3D – Text Reading Comprehension (TRC)
Students who demonstrate reading proficiency through a student reading portfolio
Students who have been previously retained more than once in K, 1 st, or 2nd
Student Reading Portfolio
North Carolina has developed a portfolio process to support all students in
reading success.
Students will begin a reading portfolio in the first semester of their third
grade year.
The contents of the portfolio are based on the reading Common Core
standards and target specific standards for reading success.
Portfolios will contain mClass Reading 3D assessment information in
addition Tier II and Tier III paperwork that may be in place for a student.
The portfolio will be a part of guided reading instruction and will add to
the learning process. Selections used to build the student portfolio will
show understanding of standards. The assessments are formative and will
serve as a tool to guide teachers in instruction.
What if my child does not qualify
for a good cause exemption?
Students who do not qualify for a good cause exemption
will have the opportunity to attend reading camp.
 Reading camp is an intensive reading session held in the
summer months.
 Students will receive targeted literacy instruction to
strengthen foundational skills and improve reading
proficiency.
 Enrollment in reading camp is a parent decision.
Students who do not attend camp will have an
opportunity to show proficiency by participating in the
Read to Achieve test taken at the end of camp.
What happens after summer
reading camp?
Proficient Students:
Students who attend reading
reading camp and are proficient
on the Read to Achieve test or a
local determined, state board
approved, assessment will be
promoted to 4th grade.
Students who complete their
reading portfolios during
reading camp will be promoted
to 4th grade.
Non-proficient Students:
Non-proficient students at the end of
summer reading camp will move into
the next school year with a retention
of reading standards status.
Students will be in a transitional
classroom where they will receive the
4th grade curriculum in addition to a
90 minute reading block to target
deficiencies.
Students will have another
opportunity to demonstrate
proficiency in November of the
transitional year through a completed
portfolio or achieving proficiency on
the Read to Achieve test.
Parent/Guardian Notification

Teachers will meet with parent/guardian as needed to
discuss student’s reading progress

Written notification of retention will be sent to the
parent/guardian of a student not demonstrating
reading proficiency by the end of third grade.

Parent/Guardian will be notified in writing of the
reason the student is not eligible for a good cause
exemption

Parent/Guardian of a student who is retained shall
receive at least monthly written reports on the
student progress toward reading proficiency
What Can Parents Do to Help?

Find some time for reading every day. Reading
before bedtime is great, but any time is a good
time for reading.

Make certain to read books your child enjoys.

Fifteen minutes a day will make a big difference
in your child’s achievement and enjoyment of
reading.

The more you read together, the more fun ways
you will find to enjoy reading.