Arkansas’ top education official says it is unclear exactly how many third grade students will be held back, and not advance to the fourth grade for failing to reach mandated standards during end-of-year testing. The literacy standards fall under part of the sweeping education reforms included in the “2023 LEARNS Act.”
As the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports, Education Secretary Jacob Oliva, briefed lawmakers last week on those testing results from the (Arkansas Teaching, Learning, and Assessment System), better known as the ATLAS standardized exams.
Oliva told members of the joint meeting of the Arkansas Senate and House Committees on Education at the state Capitol that it could take until after the next school year begins before they know for sure exactly how many third graders must repeat the grade. Part of the delay for statewide numbers is a result of retesting by some students in June. And he said each case is treated individually.
An Updated Spring 2025 understanding of Arkansas’ Third Grade Promotion Requirements is the title of the Technical Assistance Manual (TAM) which offers more insights into decisions of advancement beyond just the ATLAS test results.
Many questions by outside observers have often centered around why there’s such a focus specifically on the transition from third grade to fourth. According to the Office for Education Policy at the University of Arkansas, “Third grade marks a critical transition in a child’s education — from learning to read to reading to learn. After third grade, students use reading to access every other subject: science, social studies, math. Children who haven’t made that transition are at risk of falling behind across the board.”
*To track updates on literacy standards or find specific guidelines, check the official Arkansas Department of Education Third-Grade Promotion portal.
