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Move on When Reading
In this information age, acquiring the ability to read and write proficiently is both necessary and crucial for a student’s academic success. It is essential that K-3 students have full access to effective, strategic and purposeful reading and writing instruction using strategies that have been proven to be successful with research and evidence.
Arizona State Statute 15-704 requires school districts and charters to provide effective reading instruction, with initial screening; on-going diagnostic and classroom based reading assessments, and a system to monitor student progress.
Arizona’s revised statute 15-211 requires all school districts and charters with a K-3 program to submit a comprehensive plan for reading instruction and intervention across grade kindergarten through grade three. State funding is provided to schools to support the implementation of their K-3 reading plan. The goal is to have all grade three students in Arizona reading proficiently at grade level.
- Is an English learner or a limited English proficient student as defined in section 15-751 and has had fewer than THREE (amended by HB2026) years of English language instruction.
- Is in the (1) process of a special education referral or evaluation for placement in special education, or (2) has been diagnosed with a significant reading impairment, including dyslexia, or (3) is a child with a disability as defined in section 15-761 and the IEP team agrees promotion is appropriate.
- Demonstrates sufficient reading skills or adequate progress toward sufficient reading skills of the 3rd-grade reading standards through a collection of reading assessments.
- Receives intervention and remedial services during the summer or subsequent year and demonstrates sufficient reading progress.
2015 Legislative Changes (SB 1461) Effective July 3rd, 2015
SB1461 was signed into law by the Governor and will become effective on July 3rd, 2015. SB1461 amends the MOWR law by expanding the list of students exempt from the retention requirement to include students in the process of a special education referral or evaluation for placement in special education and/or students that have been diagnosed as having a significant reading impairment, including dyslexia. The bill defines “dyslexia” as a brain-based learning difference that impairs a person’s ability to read and spell, that is independent of intelligence and that typically causes a person to read at levels lower than expected.
Additionally, SB1461 requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules to allow certificated teachers and administrators to count training for the screening, intervention, accommodation, use of technology, and advocacy for students with reading impairments towards continuing education credits.
Families and Community Support
The guides below are for any parent or caregiver of an Arizona student in grades birth to age 8. They help parents understand what the Arizona law says about reading requirements for 3rd grade students, the importance of early literacy, the role families play in helping support foundational early reading skills and activities to use at home. The guides also suggest questions and ideas that you can discuss with your school to help your child if he or she is a struggling reader.
Head Start Arizona
Head Start Programs provide high quality early childhood education, nutrition, health, mental health, disabilities, and social services with a strong parent involvement focus.
Parent Information Resources Center
Resources are available to better prepare your child/children for success in school, college, career and life.
PTA- Parent Guides to Student Success K-3 in English and Spanish
The Guide includes:
- Key items that children should be learning in English language arts and mathematics in each grade, once the standards are fully implemented.
- Activities that parents can do at home to support their child’s learning.
- Methods for helping parents build stronger relationships with their child’s teacher.
- Tips for planning for college and career (high school only).
Parent Guides - Printable Versions English
These guides provide an overview of what your child will learn by the end of each grade level in mathematics and English language arts/literacy.