Mississippi Literacy-Based Promotion Act

The Mississippi Literacy-Based Promotion Act will ensure that every student reads at or above grade level by the end of third grade. The act is part of a statewide effort called Strong Readers=Strong Leaders to improve literacy among all school children.

Important Facts:

1. Prevention is key.
   Reading instruction is a major focus of Kindergarten through third grade, as third grade is the year that students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Students need strong reading skills in order to learn in all other school subjects, such as science, history, writing and even math.
2. Intervention is for students having reading difficulties.
   Struggling readers will be identified early. Students identified as having a reading difficulty will be provided immediate intensive reading intervention that meets their specific reading needs.
3. Retention is a last option.
   Third-grade students must meet reading standards by the end of the year in order to be promoted to the fourth grade. Students are given multiple opportunities to demonstrate sufficient reading skills for promotion. View the Literacy-Based Promotion Act Flow Chart that shows how a student’s progress to fourth grade is impacted by their reading level.
4. Families are the backbone of student learning.
   Family involvement and understanding will be critical to students’ success. View the Frequently Asked Questions by K-3 Parents.

History on the Mississippi Literacy-Based Promotion Act:

• In 2013, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed the Literacy-Based Promotion Act into law.
• In 2013, Mississippi fourth graders were reading over one full grade level behind the national average on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) assessment.