Reading scores improve for Black Belt third graders

Selma and Dallas County’s third graders are still behind on reading compared to the state as a whole, but both systems saw improvement in reading scores.

The Alabama Department of Education recently released reading scores from the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program for the state’s third graders. The scores are important because a third grader who can’t read on or above grade level may have to repeat third grade.

The state’s focus on reading brought scores up statewide. In the 2023-24 reading assessment, 91% of the state’s third graders were reading on or above grade level, up from 82.6% in 2022-23.

Neither Selma City Schools nor Dallas County matched the state’s 91% mark, but both systems showed improvement. For Selma City Schools, 84% of third graders are reading on or above grade level, up from 59% last year. That’s a jump of 26 percentage points, one of the higher increases in the state.

All of Payne Elementary’s third graders are at grade level, making Payne one of the few schools in the state that can make that claim. Last year 60% of the third graders at Payne were reading at grade level. That’s a jump of 40 points. At Sophia P. Kingston Elementary, 89.5% of the third graders are reading on or above grade level, up from 33.3% last year, an increase of 56 percentage points.  

As for Dallas County, 83.6% of third graders are reading at grade level, compared to 73.4% last year, an increase of 10 percentage points. Most schools saw increases in the percentage of students reading at grade level, although J.E. Terry and Salem elementary schools saw declines of about 10 percentage points.

Superintendents for both systems were happy with the results.

“We are so very proud of all the students, teachers, school leaders and district leaders who made such an awesome impact by following our district’s 10-20-30 Day Action Plans for improvement,” Selma School Superintendent Zickeyous Byrd said.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our awesome employees, school community/parents, and most importantly, our hardworking scholars for their unwavering dedication and hard work! This achievement is a testament to the commitment and passion they bring to our schools every day.”

Dallas County Superintendent Anthony Sampson said, “We are excited about the reading and math gains our students are making in Dallas County School System for 2023-2024. Our teachers, leaders, principals and strategic partners continue to champion research-based instructional practices designed to close learning gaps. We fully expect to see all 3rd grade students promoted to 4th grade and reading on grade level through their participation in our summer intervention programs, ACAP Testing, and the Alabama Good Cause Exemption for the Alabama Literacy Act.”

“Additionally, we acknowledge the small changes in proficiency at JE Terry and Salem Elementary, which were a result of two experienced professionals retiring. These schools also had some of the highest scores in Alabama in 2022-2023. Moving forward, we will continue to add new certified teachers to our district team, despite the critical shortages experienced in Alabama, especially within the Black Belt Region.”

Here's a rundown of scores in the Black Belt News Network’s coverage area:

Marengo County schools passed the state percentage with 96.2% of third graders reading on or above grade level. Last year 82.8% were at grade level. 

Demopolis’ U.S. Jones Elementary School beat the state percentage. Almost 94% of third graders are reading on or above grade level, an increase of 10 percentage points over last year.

Perry County schools saw a jump of 37 points over last year’s percentage. For 2023-24, 90% of the system’s third graders are reading at grade level.

In Wilcox County schools, 89% of the third graders are reading at grade level, up 25 percentage points from last year.

Breakthrough Academy met the state percentage with 91% of its third graders reading at grade level, up 47 percentage points from last year’s percentage of 44.4.

The Alabama Literacy Act, passed in 2019, states that students who don’t read at grade level by third grade are supposed to be held back, although the act contains exceptions for students who are receiving services for diagnosed learning disabilities. The act also provides alternative methods of measuring a child’s literacy level.

Here’s a chart of area schools and their scores: