May 7, 2015
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Board of Education today approved the passing score for the test that determines whether 3rd graders are ready for 4th grade reading instruction.
Students need to score at least 926 on the 3rd Grade Reading Summative Assessment, which was administered in public schools statewide in April. Statewide, an estimate of 85 percent of 3rd graders achieved a passing score on the reading test. Local school districts will determine which of their students who did not pass qualify for one of the good cause exemptions for promotion to 4th grade. The remaining students will be retested before a decision is made about their promotion or retention.
Students who did not meet the passing score will be given two opportunities to retest. The first retest window is May 18-22, 2015. The second retest opportunity will take place between June 29 and August 7, 2015.
Mississippi’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act requires that a student scoring at the lowest achievement level on the 3rdGrade Reading Summative Assessment be retained in 3rd grade, unless the student meets the good cause exemptions specified in the law. This school year is the first year that a reading test is required for 3rd graders to be promoted to 4thgrade.
“These test results clearly identify the students who need additional support and instruction to be ready for 4th grade reading instruction,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “Strong reading skills are critically important for students throughout their education. We must make certain that we are equipping all of our students to be successful in school and life.”
The passing score for the 3rd Grade Reading Summative Assessment was determined by the standard-setting process. As with all tests that are administered for the first time, the standard-setting process took place after Mississippi students took the test for the first time in April. The 24-member standard-setting committee included Mississippi educators with expertise in 3rd and 4th grade reading, school administrators, higher education faculty, members of the Mississippi Reading Panel and community stakeholders.
Key points about the 3rd Grade Reading Summative Assessment results:
- Students who qualify for a good cause exemption will be promoted to 4th grade and provided with intensive reading support
- Students who did not pass the test will have two chances to retake the test before the start of 4th grade
- Students who fail the test after their third try will be retained in 3rd grade and provided with intensive reading intervention
Key points about the standard-setting process:
- Standard setting involves expert judgment and is informed by data
- Mississippi’s National Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) reviewed detailed plans and procedures prior to and following the standard-setting meeting
- Independent experts from the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment (NCIEA) and Research in Action monitored the standard-setting process
School districts will receive individual score reports for distribution to 3rd grade teachers and students on May 8. Also, the MDE will release district- and school-level results on May 8.
For information about summer reading programs, contact local school districts. For more information about the Literacy-Based Promotion Act, visit www.mde.k12.ms.us/literacy.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519