Last week’s release of 2013 MCAS scores has generated many positive headlines on turnaround schools and 10^th grade scores. However, there is another story. In Massachusetts, 43 percent of third graders are not proficient readers – this is up from 39% over the last two years. Among children from low-income families, a staggering 65% lag in reading.

Here’s a round-up of some of the news coverage from the past week:

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Mixed grades on Cape MCAS scores

The Cape Cod Times, story by Cynthia McCormick, September 21, 2013

Third grade reading scores around the state were disappointing, and as this story reports: “The trend was also evident on the Cape, where nearly every district lost some ground on third-grade proficiency in the English language arts part of the MCAS.”

The article also quotes Strategies for Children’s President and CEO Carolyn Lyons:

“’Third grade is really a critical prediction of future struggle,’ Lyons said. She pointed to research that shows early elementary reading success correlates to students’ on-time high school graduation.”

According to Lyons, stagnant third grade reading scores statewide are due in part to the state’s historic lack of early education investment. Policymakers have begun to turn this around in fiscal year 2014 with a modest increase for early education – the first increase since FY09. However, more investments are needed to provide all children with access to high-quality programs, and ensure they enter kindergarten ready to succeed.

“The Third Grade Reading Proficiency Act that was signed into law a year ago this month creates an early literacy expert panel, but the ‘panel has yet to be announced,’ Lyons said.” Stay tuned to Eye on Early Education in the days ahead for an update on the panel.

The article adds: “Falmouth schools Superintendent Bonny Gifford said part of the decline in proficiency may be related to changing test standards. The MCAS tests administered during the last school year included questions from both the old Massachusetts curriculum and a new one adopted by the state known as Common Core.”

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Third-graders lag in MCAS reading for 12th straight year
Lowell Sun, story by Lisa Hagen, September 21, 2013

“Although statewide MCAS scores rose across the board this year, third-grade reading proficiency fell short for the 12th straight year, according to figures released Friday by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education,” this article reports, noting, “Sixty-three percent of 1,088 third-graders in Lowell tested below proficiency.”

As Carolyn Lyons told the Sun, “It is discouraging that we have virtually no progress on scores for over a decade as a state.”  She added, “The only way we can turn this around for children is to make sure we’re investing in more resources.”

“Lyons said research has indicated third grade as a ‘critical predictor for future success in school.’ After releasing a report about reading proficiency in 2010, her group launched a 10-year campaign with a goal of having every child in the state achieve reading proficiency by third grade.

“‘This isn’t just an issue for public schools to address,’ she said. ‘We need to respond to research that learning starts at birth before the bell begins at kindergarten.’

“’With cuts in early education on both federal and state levels,’ Lyons said, ‘it is ‘our collective responsibility’ that children continue learning outside the classroom whether they are involved in an after-school or summer program.’”

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Reading programs aren’t working for the young

The Lowell Sun, an editorial, September 24, 2013

The Sun’s editorial writes, “No one at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education should be happy with the performance of third-graders on the 2013 MCAS exam.

“In a startling result, third-grade reading proficiency fell short for the 12th consecutive year, according to test results released Friday.

“A more troubling sign is that proficiency levels have reversed to their worst levels since 2008. Back then, 37 percent of third-graders received ‘not proficient’ grades. It’s now up to 44 percent.”

The editorial adds, “Carolyn Lyons, president of Strategies for Children, says communities — not just schools — must embrace the significance of improving third-graders’ reading proficiency.”

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Additional stories highlight the impressive results of Orchard Gardens school in Boston, the possibility of state takeover of four elementary schools in Boston, New Bedford and Holyoke, school improvement in Western Mass., and progress updates from the state receivership of Lawrence Public Schools.

Stay tuned for more updates as the MCAS story continues to unfold, and local and state leaders work to address the ongoing challenge of third grade reading proficiency.