REACHING 80% COLLEGE AND CAREER READY BY THIRD GRADE

New insights shape strategy to reach community goal

Change is wit

KEY LEVERAGE POINTS IN EARLY LITERACY JOURNEY

Our community’s goal of 80% of third graders scoring at College and Career Ready (CCR) on the state reading assessment is within reach. In fact, we’ve come closer to that goal than many might realize.

In 2017, 70% of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students were on level for reading at the end of first grade. Two years later, though, in 2019, only 46% of those students scored at CCR on their third-grade state reading assessment.

70% 46%

There are two key takeaways from these data points:

1 2

Getting 80% of third graders to CCR is both attainable and closer than we might think.

The post-first grade drop in reading scores is an important piece of the puzzle of improving reading proficiency. It’s clear that the end of first grade is a key leverage point in the early literacy journey.

Development of Reading for Low- and High-income Neighborhoods (kindergarten to 3rd grade (MAP RIT)) 166 155 209 198 End of Third Grade End of Kindergarten Beginning of Kindergarten 141 135 Similiar trends are seen when looking at race/ethnicity

We also know school entry is an important leverage point. Harvard Professor James Kim analyzed two cohorts of CMS students from kindergarten through third grade. These analyses were for students who finished third grade in 2018 and 2019.

Using MAP test scores, Professor Kim found that the entire third grade reading gap (by race and income) was present by the end of kindergarten. We need to work hard to close early gaps at school entry and the initial years of elementary school.