About 23% of third graders, or nearly 12,000 students, scored below the required reading level last spring. But fewer than 3% were ultimately held back, according to newly provided state data.

While the Michigan Department of Education leaders praised improvements made by students in some grades in reading and math on the state test, the state's third graders continued to slide in reading ...

Lori Robertson knew the stakes were high. Under a new Louisiana law, the third graders she taught this summer at J.B. Nachman Elementary School in Alexandria would have to pass a reading test or be ...