The Oklahoma Legislature has approved a bill making it easier for Oklahoma third-graders to advance to fourth grade even if they can't demonstrate basic reading skills.
The House and Senate both voted Friday to approve a bill that extends the use of "reading teams" for the next three school years.
The teams that include a child's parent, teachers and reading specialist would be allowed to promote third-graders who score unsatisfactory marks on state-mandated reading tests.
Based on results from this year's tests, about 15 percent of Oklahoma third-graders could be held back after earning unsatisfactory marks.
Among other things, the bill also directs that students who are not reading at grade level in the first or second grade receive remediation.
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