As part of Ohio State law, third grade students have to reach a certain score on a state-approved reading assessment to be promoted to fourth grade (referred to as the Third Grade Reading Guarantee).
Third-grade students must meet a promotable score on the state reading test to move on to the fourth grade. In 2024-2025 the minimum score for advancement is 700 on the Third Grade ELA OST or a score of 50 on the Reading subtest of the Third Grade ELA OST. The score must be attained either in the fall, spring, or summer administration of the Third Grade ELA Ohio State Test.
Cincinnati Public Schools also administers the iReady Reading assessments. This assessment can also be used to achieve a promotable score as defined by the state of Ohio when administered in the winter, spring, or summer. The minimum score for advancement on iReady Reading assessments is 524.
Unless your child attains a promotable score on at least one of the assessments described above by the end of third grade, your child will be retained under the State of Ohio Third Grade Reading Guarantee legislation. However, beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, a student’s parent or guardian, in consultation with the student’s reading teacher and principal, may request that a student be promoted to fourth grade regardless of the student’s score on Ohio’s State Test for grade 3 English language arts. Students promoted to fourth grade through this exemption must continue to receive intensive reading instruction until the student is able to read at grade level. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
View and download a letter to families: Third Grade ELA Ohio State Test
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