Research Brief on Third Grade Literacy Risks

This research brief presents an analysis of early literacy risks for third grade students, focusing on data collected from the 2022-23 school year. The document outlines the significant challenges faced by third graders, particularly those who were in kindergarten when the pandemic began. Despite some progress in early literacy among lower elementary grades, third grade students showed the least improvement compared to previous cohorts, with no gains from the prior year. The brief details the assessment methods used, specifically the mCLASS literacy assessment, and compares it with DIBELS 8th Edition benchmark data from multiple school years. It highlights the disparities in literacy achievement among different demographic groups, noting that while improvements have been observed in grades K-2, third graders remain at risk due to instructional losses during the pandemic. The findings underscore the ongoing literacy crisis in the United States, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted support for struggling readers.