Gov. Terry Branstad will be proposing new education reforms in January next year. Part of this proposal is a reading level requirement for third graders. The specifics of the proposal are not released yet, but what we do know is that the plan comes from Florida Schools who do the same thing. It sets a minimum level of reading for third graders that would be measured through the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. If the students don’t meet the minimum requirement they would be held back in third grade. Dr. Mike Jorgenson, Superintendent of Washington Schools, says he thinks it’s a good idea to retain students who don’t meet the requirements, but he doesn’t know if third grade is the best year to do it. He thinks there is a social stigma to being held back in that grade. He says it might be a better idea to start with an earlier grade. KCII will bring you more information on this and the other reforms in January when they become official.

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