Ohio's Third Grade Reading Guarantee is a program to identify students from kindergarten through grade 3 who are behind in reading. Schools will provide help and support to make sure students are on track for reading success by the end of third grade. The Department provides policy guidance, instructional tools and resources on the Third Grade Reading Guarantee.
House Bill 33 of the 135th General Assembly included several legislative changes to the Third Grade Reading Guarantee which go into effect beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.
Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, a student’s parent or guardian, in consultation with the student’s reading teacher and principal, may request that a student be promoted to fourth grade regardless of the student’s score on Ohio’s State Test for grade 3 English language arts.
Students promoted to fourth grade through this exemption must continue to receive intensive reading instruction until the student is able to read at grade level.
- Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, districts must include the following information in the written communication to parents of students in grades K-3 who are not reading on grade level according to the reading diagnostic: A statement that connects the child’s proficiency level in reading to long-term outcomes of success related to proficiency in reading.
What can parents do at home?
- Talk and listen to your child.
- Read together with your child.
- Encourage early writing efforts.
- Show your child that you read, whether it's the newspaper, magazines or books.
- Take your child to the library and check out books to read together.
- Start a home library.
Children become readers step-by-step. By age seven, most children are reading. Some take longer than others, and some need extra help. You are the best person to decide which activities work best for your child.
Parent Roadmaps from the Ohio Department of Education