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England School District reports third-grade retention numbers; most level-one students receive exemptions
Summary
The elementary principal reported that of 37 third graders at England Elementary School, nine scored level one on the state ELA (Atlas) test; six qualified for state 'good cause' exemptions, two will be retained and one retested and advanced to level two after one-on-one testing.
The elementary principal reported the district’s third-grade accountability results and the local application of the state 'Learns' law on retention. Of 37 third-grade students, 28 scored at level two or above on the ELA (Atlas) assessment, nine scored level one and six of those nine qualified for good-cause exemptions, the principal said.
Those exemptions included one English-learner who had been in the United States and the district less than a month at the time of testing, two students who had been previously retained and therefore met exemption criteria, one student receiving special services, and one student receiving dyslexia services with two years of documented interventions. The principal said parents were offered retests for the three students who did not initially qualify for exemptions; one parent declined retesting and requested retention for the child, one student retested and advanced to level two after individualized testing, and one student’s family left the district and said they would homeschool.
The principal described the retesting process as one-on-one with a teacher (Miss Tammy Roberts) and said individualized attention helped the student who improved by 10 points and reached level two. The district’s materials included state guidance on the promotion requirements and an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette article for comparison with larger districts. The board was given the local counts and the principal walked trustees through how each of the nine level-one results was resolved.
Why this matters: Arkansas law permits retention of third graders who score at the lowest level on reading assessments but also allows several 'good cause' exemptions. The local decisions affect students’ placement, required services and parental notification; the board was given specific case outcomes and next steps for the small number of students who will be retained. The superintendent and principals said the district will continue to offer retesting opportunities and interventions.
The board did not take separate action on individual students during the meeting; the principal’s report concluded with an overview of next steps for retained students and supports for those advancing to fourth grade.
