Students' summer reading improvement spotlights Literacy Act's influence
In the summer of 2025, Alabama's third-grade reading proficiency is showing mixed progress following the implementation of the Alabama Literacy Act and summer reading camps.
Under the Literacy Act, third graders who do not meet a cut score on the reading assessment are required to attend summer reading camps and retake a supplemental reading test (ACAP Supplemental Assessment). This year, out of 6,470 students who initially scored below the cut score, 1,743 passed the supplemental test and will be promoted, but 4,727 students (about 8.5% of Alabama’s third graders) remain at risk of retention, pending further review of portfolios and exemptions.
Summer reading camps are a key component of efforts to improve reading skills for struggling students by offering extra support over the summer. These camps serve as a critical intervention point before the final decision on retention is made.
Some high-poverty districts in Alabama have shown reading gains among third graders, indicating positive outcomes in targeted areas, likely influenced by these initiatives. Madison City Schools, for instance, maintains strong overall academic performance, including reading proficiency, consistently earning high ratings on state report cards with high reading achievement and growth indicators.
The grants, amounting to around $90,000 per reading interventionist, are being directed towards schools with the highest needs. These grants are significant enough that schools may find it difficult to refuse them. The grants are also accompanied by guidelines on how they can be used, primarily for hiring reading interventionists.
The final number of students still reading below grade level has not been determined, as more data is expected in October. Approximately 2,400 students did not test at the end of summer for various reasons, according to State Superintendent Eric Mackey. Some students who did not test may have opted out, had special needs, or their parents chose not to send them to summer reading camp.
Students who barely passed, falling between the cut score and the preferred score, are being flagged. This means that these students will receive additional support to ensure they are on track for future reading success.
The Literacy Act is ensuring that struggling readers are no longer overlooked. This is the second summer that students who are not meeting reading comprehension benchmarks in summer reading camp may be retained in third grade due to the Literacy Act. The Act is a significant step towards improving literacy rates in Alabama and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed academically.
For more information, contact Mary Claire Wooten at mwooten@our website.
This shows a continued focus on early literacy with mixed but hopeful impacts from the Literacy Act and summer reading camps as of mid-2025. Final retention numbers will be clearer after portfolio reviews by October 2025. Data from portfolio assessments will help reduce the number of students reading below grade level, according to State Superintendent Eric Mackey.
- To address the ongoing challenge of reading proficiency, an emphasis on education-and-self-development, particularly personal-growth and learning, is being implemented through the Alabama Literacy Act and summer reading camps.
- As a result of the focused efforts on early literacy, students across Alabama are receiving additional support during summer, which serves as a crucial stepping stone for personal growth and learning, ensuring a brighter academic future.
