Summer Literacy Policy to Support Third and Fourth Graders Reading Behind Grade Level Adopted in Louisiana

Baton Rouge, Louisiana – The Louisiana Department of Education said on October 12, 2022, that the state is increasing help for third and fourth grade pupils who are falling behind in their reading. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) recently adopted the Louisiana Department of Education’s (LDOE) new summer literacy policy. Third and fourth grade kids who perform below grade level on an end-of-year reading screener will receive 30 hours of intensive literacy training over the summer from a teacher versed in the science of reading.

“I’m most concerned about this year’s third and fourth graders. Their foundational school years were disrupted more than any other cohort and we must be all-hands-on-deck for their recovery,” said State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “This measure focuses additional support for these students and is another step in the right direction.”

The policy is in effect for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. This corresponds to the time range in which Louisiana school districts must use pandemic relief funding.

“Literacy is the basis for all learning, and as we work to create positive educational outcomes for Louisiana students, it is critical to provide struggling readers with a path to improvement,” said BESE District 4 Member Michael Melerine. “The summer literacy intervention policy approved by the Board today gives schools and parents another tool to boost reading skills, address learning loss, and help ensure that all of our students are on track for academic success.”

Students in third and fourth grades will take an end-of-year reading assessment. Students who perform below grade level will get 30 hours of focused reading instruction during the summer. Students who are not reading at grade level and do not engage in the summer program may be retained or get alternative forms of support as chosen by school officials and parents.

This is the most recent move taken by Louisiana to fight the state’s literacy crisis and fundamentally change how students are taught to read. BESE approved the LDOE’s literacy-focused accountability plan for grades K-2 in August. It is the state’s first accountability plan for students in kindergarten through second grade. Louisiana Literacy was established by the LDOE in 2021. The Science of Reading is emphasized in this holistic literacy method.