Third graders in Utah are falling behind on their reading skills

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s third grade students are falling behind on their reading skills. But the Utah Legislature has set a goal to reach a higher standard. 

The state legislature set a mandate in 2022 to raise the reading proficiency up to 70%. Third grade teachers have until 2027 to improve the reading proficiency of their students. 

Reading assessments are taken 3 times a year. The latest assessment shows third grade reading proficiency is at 48%. 

Related: Students are reading fewer books in English class

The Utah State Board of Education is working to improve third graders reading skills by helping the teachers.

State Board of Education Literacy Specialist Julie Clark said teachers have received professional development to help them with their students.

“I think sometimes they think that we don’t respect what they do, but we really do.”

Part of the reason for the drop in reading skills is the pandemic, which took kids out of the classroom. But Utah students are faring better than students across the nation because they were back in school before many other states.

“We do appreciate that our students were able to get back into the classroom. I do think that did help us to not take as big of a hit as the rest of the nation did,” said Clark. 

According to Clark third graders are being targeted due to research showing the importance. 

“If we can get them up to grade level by third grade, research shows that they will likely be able to stay reading on grade level through their educational career,” said Clark. 

Related: Utah graduation rates had one of the largest jumps in the nation