Law requiring 3rd graders to read before promotion proposed

From examiner.com - During their 10:00 p.m. broadcast, Albuquerque CBS affiliate, KRQE News 13, reported that a bill is being proposed in the New Mexico legislature that would require third grade public school students to read at grade level or face being held back. The bill, proposed by Representative Mary Helen Garcia , which is receiving mixed reviews, is designed to address poor reading skills, which are a primary reason for students not graduating. Of particular concern to some parents is that they would lose their right to approve whether or not their child is held back. In addition to addressing reading gaps at an early age, lack of knowledge of basic math facts is another major reason for students not graduating. Students who cannot add, subtract, multiply, and divide are not armed with the skills necessary to be successful at high school level math. If New Mexico legislators can get reading and math proficiency standards addressed at earlier ages, there is no doubt that New Mexico’s graduation rates will improve, which will greatly affect many lives. Read more

Law requiring 3rd graders to read before promotion proposed