Starting at the end of this 2025–2026 school year, all third-grade students in Arkansas will be required to meet a minimum reading standard to move on to fourth grade. This change is part of the Arkansas Learns Act and the Right to Read Act, which focus on helping students build strong reading skills in the early grades.
Third-Grade Promotion Requirements
To be promoted to fourth grade, third-grade students must:
Score at Level 2 or above on the Grade 3 ATLAS Summative English Language Arts (ELA) Assessment.
Students who score Level 1 on the Grade 3 ELA assessment and do not qualify for a good cause exemption will not be promoted.
Note: ATLAS Summative Assessment will be given April 27-May 1, 2026.
Early Support for Students
Our shared goal is to identify and support students before they reach third grade. To help achieve this, Arkansas schools are required to:
Monitor reading progress starting in kindergarten.
Administer literacy and math screeners within the first 30 days of school for all students in kindergarten through third grade.
These screeners help identify students who may need additional support. If your child is identified as “Potential Risk” in literacy or math:
Teachers may administer additional assessments.
Your child may receive an Individual Reading Plan (IRP), which outlines the specific support your child will receive and offers guidance for how you can support reading at home.
Early Support for Students
Our shared goal is to identify and support students before they reach third grade. To help achieve this, Arkansas schools are required to:
Monitor reading progress starting in kindergarten.
Administer literacy and math screeners within the first 30 days of school for all students in kindergarten through third grade.
These screeners help identify students who may need additional support. If your child is identified as “Potential Risk” in literacy or math:
Teachers may administer additional assessments.
Your child may receive an Individual Reading Plan (IRP), which outlines the specific support your child will receive and offers guidance for how you can support reading at home.
Good Cause Exemptions
Students who qualify for a good cause exemption may be promoted even if they do not meet the reading standard. These exemptions apply when a student meets specific criteria indicating that promotion is appropriate, despite assessment results.
Accessing Your Child’s Scores and IRPs
Grades K-3 Screener results for the 2025–2026 school year are available. ATLAS Grade 3 Summative data for 2025-26 will be available summer 2026. Parents and guardians will be able to view their child’s ATLAS scores and Individual Reading Plans (IRPs) in the Atlas Family Portal. If you did not receive an access code contact your child’s school.
For more information about the Arkansas Learns Act and third-grade promotion requirements, visit the Arkansas Department of Education’s website at dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/learning-services/third-grade-promotion.
Bryant is committed to partnering with our families to support every child’s reading success. If you have questions about your child’s progress or need assistance accessing resources, please contact your school.
Additional Resources
Understanding 3rd Grade Reading Requirements
Understanding 3rd Grade Reading Requirements (Spanish)
DESE Third-Grade Promotion Webpage