Third grade is a pivotal point in student learning. This is the point when educators expect children to transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Falling short of this milestone has significant consequences including: students not graduating from high school, and those that do graduate are not prepared for college, careers, or military service.
According to the 2009 NAEP assessments, in the US only 33% of fourth graders are reading proficiently and in California only 24% of fourth graders are reading proficiently. Research shows that 74% students who are behind will never catch up.
According to the CST assessment, in Sacramento only 37% of 3rd graders read on grade level. There are 19 zip codes in the city, and there is not a single zip code that has at least 70% of 3rd graders reading on grade level. These statistics help to paint the picture of the literacy crisis that is occurring in the US today.