Third grade is a critical time for students. It is the pivotal point where children transition from learning to read to learning through reading.
Perry Township Schools is proud of the progress our third-graders are making in their reading abilities. Our educators understand that reading and comprehension are fundamental for learning other subjects like science, history and even math.
That is why we are celebrating all of our students who passed the Indiana Reading Evaluation And Determination assessment, the standardized test mandated by the Indiana Department of Education to “measure foundational reading standards through grade three.” We are not only celebrating those who passed the test but also the students who received perfect scores of 650.
Ninety-nine scholars representing each of our 11 elementary schools answered 100 percent of the questions correctly. We are especially proud of these results because of the diversity of our student enrollment. We educate nearly 16,000 students who represent 73 languages and 67 countries. We are rich in culture, and our educators work tirelessly to help the entire student body learn and excel. We are proud to reflect the diversity of our community, and we want to see every student succeed.
Many experts believe that a student’s reading level in third grade provides a strong indication of future success in the classroom and in society. According to a number of studies, students who can read proficiently by the time they have finished third grade keep pace with peers or excel in later school years.
Encouraging literacy should not just happen in the classroom. Parents can also encourage reading at home by implementing a few simple strategies:
• Read every day – The more children are exposed to books, the more likely it is that reading will become part of their daily routines.
• Make suggestions – Recommend books that match your child’s interest, but refrain from reacting judgmental if they prefer a genre or title that doesn’t excite you.
• Give rewards – Consider buying your child a new book or making an extra trip to the library in exchange for earning good grades or assisting with chores.
• Surround your children with books and magazines – Children who have access to grade-appropriate reading resources at home tend to perform better on standardized tests.
Literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning. Perry Township is committed to teaching students the building blocks of success at every grade level.