Arkansas’ top education official says it is unclear exactly how many third grade students will be held back, and not advance to the fourth grade for failing to reach mandated standards during end-of-year testing. The literacy standards fall under part of the sweeping education reforms included in the “2023 LEARNS Act.”
As the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports, Education Secretary Jacob Oliva, briefed lawmakers last week on those testing results from the (Arkansas Teaching, Learning, and Assessment System), better known as the ATLAS standardized exams.
Oliva told members of the joint meeting of the Arkansas Senate and House Committees on Education at the state Capitol that it could take until after the next school year begins before they know for sure exactly how many third graders must repeat the grade. Part of the delay for statewide numbers is a result of retesting by some students in June. And he said each case is treated individually…