1. North Carolina Read to Achieve A Guide for Parents to House Bill 950

2. What Is Read to Achieve?
Read to Achieve is part of the Excellent Public Schools Act
It becomes effective school year
The law can be accessed through

3. What is the Goal of Read to Achieve?
“The goal of the State is to ensure that every student read at or above grade level by the end of third grade and continue to progress in reading proficiency so that he or she can read, comprehend, integrate, and apply complex text when needed.”
(Excellent Public Schools Act, NC HB 950/S.L. 2012)

4. Components of Read to Achieve
Comprehensive Plan for Reading Achievement
Kindergarten Entry Assessment Process
Facilitating Early Grade Reading Proficiency
Process for the Elimination of Social Promotion
Plan for Successful Reading Development of Retained Students
Parent/Guardian Notification Process
Accountability Measures Process

5. Comprehensive Reading Plan
Teachers will receive professional development on reading instructional practices and strategies
Teachers will be supported as they work with student data to identify which reading instructional strategies are needed
Teachers will implement those instructional practices and strategies during reading instruction for students

6. Kindergarten Entry Assessment Process
A Kindergarten entry assessment process will begin with the school year
The assessment will create a child profile that addresses the five domains of school readiness
Language and Literacy
Cognition and General Knowledge
Approaches Toward Learning
Physical Well-Being and Motor Development
Social/Emotional Development

7. Facilitating Early Grade Reading Proficiency
K-3 students will be assessed using the mCLASS Reading 3D assessment system
The data helps teachers plan appropriate reading instruction for each student
All parents/guardians will receive a Home Connect letter three times a year showing their child’s progress along with activities that can be used at home to support reading

8. End of Social Promotion
Third graders will complete the EOG for reading
If they are proficient, they are promoted to 4th grade
If they are not, they may qualify for a good cause exemption and be promoted to 4th grade
The legislation identifies five good cause exemptions

9. Good Cause Exemptions
Limited English Proficient students with fewer than 2 years of instruction in ESL
Students with disabilities with IEPs that specify alternative assessments (*this does not apply to any student in a general education classroom)
Students who demonstrate reading proficiency appropriate for 3rd grade on an alternative assessment (Read to Achieve Test)
Students who demonstrate reading proficiency through a student reading portfolio
Students who have received reading intervention and previously been retained more than once in prior K, 1st, or 2nd

10. End of Social Promotion
If students do not qualify for a good cause exemption then they may take a retest of the EOG or the Read to Achieve test
If they are proficient on one of these assessments they are promoted to 4th grade

11. Plan for Successful Reading Development of Retained Students
Establish summer reading camps
Provide reading workshops for parents and guardians to help with the plan for reading at home for retained students
Offer supplemental tutoring outside of the school day to students that have been retained more than once

12. Summer Reading Camp
If students do not qualify for a “good cause exemption” they are then enrolled in a Summer Reading Camp
Summer Reading Camp is the parent’s decision. If the choice is not to enroll, the student is retained to a 3rd grade classroom

13. Summer Reading Camp
Summer Reading Camp includes 72 hours of intensive, research based reading instruction
Dates and times for Summer Reading Camp will be determined by Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System

14. Summer Reading Camp
Students attending Summer Reading Camp will have two opportunities to be promoted to the fourth grade:
The student scores proficient on the alternate reading assessment (Read to Achieve Test)
The student’s reading portfolio demonstrates reading proficiency

15. After Summer Reading Camp
Students who are not promoted after Summer
Reading Camp:
Student is placed into a fourth grade classroom and flagged as “retained” where they will receive intensive reading instruction
If student has already been retained once, the district/school shall provide a plan for reading at home, which will include a contract with the parent/guardian

16. Parent/Guardian Notification of the Retention Process
Teachers will meet with parent/guardian as needed to discuss student’s reading progress
Written notification of retention will be sent to the parent/guardian of a student not demonstrating reading proficiency by the end of third grade.
Parent/Guardian will be notified in writing of the reason the student is not eligible for a good cause exemption

17. Parent/Guardian Notification of the Retention Process
Parent/Guardian of a student who is retained shall receive at least monthly written reports on the student progress toward reading proficiency
Teachers and Principals shall provide opportunities to discuss the notifications with parents/guardians

18. Accountability Measures Process
School System will establish and maintain a website for reporting and parent information
Schools will provide descriptions of all reading interventions provided to retained students
Teachers will document and maintain lesson plans outlining reading interventions used in the classroom with retained students

19. What Can Parents Do to Help?
Find some time for reading every day. Reading before bedtime is great, but any time is a good time for reading
Be sure to read books that your child enjoys
Even 15 minutes a day will make a big difference in your child’s achievement and enjoyment of reading
The more you read together, the more fun ways you will find to enjoy reading

20. For More Information
Visit the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County home page’s link to Read to Achieve at
Contact your school’s principal and/or child’s teacher