A story today on American Family Radio News (One News Now) about Colorado’s House Bill 1238, and other states’ legislation aimed at holding back third-graders who aren’t proficient readers, featured comments from senior policy analyst Ben DeGrow. In an interview with reporter Bob Kellogg, DeGrow highlighted the need for more focused accountability on early literacy:

“Something needs to be done to provide consequences and hold schools accountable for helping students learn to read,” he says, “because if students just keep getting passed up through the system and graduate without those skills, we’re not preparing them well for life.”

Elsewhere in the story, DeGrow cited Florida’s success with curbing 3rd grade social promotion for struggling readers, along with focused literacy interventions and teacher training in scientific-based reading instruction.

Follow the link to read the story and listen to a 1-minute audio clip.