S. Florida third-graders improve reading scores

South Florida third-grade students scored higher on the key state reading exam this year compared with counterparts in 2017, according to data released last week by the Florida Department of Education.

It was in contrast to the overall state results, where thirdgraders scored slightly worse on the language arts section of the Florida Standards Assessments exam, or FSA.

The percentage of students scoring at least a 3 on the test rose to 59 percent in Broward, up from 57 percent. In Palm Beach County, the scores rose to 56 percent from 54 percent and in Miami-Dade, the number went to 61 percent from 58 percent. The score range is 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible and 3 at grade level.

Statewide, some 57 percent of third graders scored at 3 or better, compared to 58 percent last year. Despite the dip, this year’s percentage is still higher than the 53 percent doing well in 2015, the first year FSA was administered.

Scores for the state, districts and schools are available on the education department website. Parents of the 221,469 thirdgraders who took the exam should hear from their children’s schools soon about how they did.

The department posted the results on its website without comment and also sent them to school districts, which need the results to make promotion and retention decisions as the school year winds up.

Under Florida’s controversial third-grade retention law, students who score very poorly on the FSA language arts exam — earning a level 1 — could be held back and barred from fourth grade. Statewide, 20 percent scored at level 12 this year.

That means more than 44,200 youngsters face being held back, but typically about half the students with level 1 scores move to fourth grade anyway.