North Carolina Read to Achieve A Parents’ Guide to NC House Bill 950 NC House Bill 950 Cornelius Elementary School

Agenda 2 Goal of the law Components of Read to Achieve How this could impact your child

3 What is Read To Achieve? -Read to Achieve is part of the Excellent Public Schools Act which became law in July This law supports the NC State Board of Education’s mission: -Every public school student will graduate from high school globally competitive for work and post-secondary education and prepared for life in the 21 st century. -Effective during the school year

4 § 115C State 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 texts needed for secondary education and career success.” (Excellent Public Schools Act, NC HB 950/S.L. 2012) Goal for Read To Achieve

5 7 Components of Read to Achieve 1.Comprehensive plan for reading achievement 2.Kindergarten entry assessment process 3.Facilitating early grade reading proficiency 4.Process for the elimination of social promotion 5.Plan for successful reading development of retained students 6.Parent/guardian notification process 7.Accountability measures process

6 4. Elimination of Social Promotion Your child must demonstrate reading proficiency to be promoted to 4 th grade.

7 What is social promotion? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary*, social promotion is the practice of promoting a student from one grade level to the next on the basis of age rather than academic achievement. *m-w.com

8 What is reading proficiency? Reading proficiency is the ability to read at the level which the state deems appropriate at the end of each grade level as measured by the Reading End-of-Grade test.

9 So what does this mean for my Cornelius 3 rd grader?

11 Good Cause Exemptions Limited English Proficient students Students with IEPs that include alternate assessments and reading interventions Proficiency on an alternate assessment after EOG or summer reading camp Proficiency through a reading portfolio Previously retained more than once

12 5. Plan for Successful Reading Development of Retained Students If your child does not demonstrate reading proficiency they will be able to attend CMS Summer Reading Camp. At the end of CMS Summer Reading Camp, if your child does not demonstrate reading proficiency, your child will receive additional intensive reading support during the following school year.

Resources North Carolina Department of Instruction website: Read to Achieve Live Binder: CMS Read to Achieve Resources:

15 If I have questions throughout this process, whom should I contact? Please contact your child’s teacher with questions and concerns.

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