Strong Literacy
Statewide commitment to early literacy based on the science of reading.
Read to Succeed & Third Grade Mandatory Retention
Parent Information
Read to Succeed & Third Grade Mandatory Retention
South Carolina’s Read to Succeed (R2S) law ensures every child becomes a proficient reader. This page explains what the law means for third graders in Lee County and how we partner with families to support reading growth.
At a Glance
- ✅ Third graders who score Does Not Meet Expectations on the SC READY Reading test are retained unless a Good Cause Exemption applies.
- ✅ Students not meeting proficiency are invited to Summer Reading Camp for intensive support.
- ✅ Families receive notifications, conferences, and an option to appeal a retention decision.
What is Read to Succeed?
Daily Instruction
Explicit reading instruction, interventions, and progress monitoring for students who need support.
Family Partnership
Clear communication, conferences, and resources to help at home.
Third Grade Reading Requirement
Beginning with the 2024–25 school year, a student must be retained in third grade if the student fails to demonstrate reading proficiency by scoring Does Not Meet Expectations on SC READY Reading.*
*Per state law; see Resources at the bottom of this page for links to the SC Department of Education.
Good Cause Exemptions (GCEs)
Students who meet any of the following may be promoted to fourth grade even if they score Does Not Meet Expectations:
- Limited English Proficiency with less than two years of English instruction (ESOL program).
- Students with disabilities whose IEP indicates alternate assessments/reading interventions, and students with disabilities whose IEP or Section 504 Plan shows they have received >2 years of intensive reading remediation but still do not substantially demonstrate proficiency.
- Successful Summer Reading Camp: Achieve Approaches Expectations (or higher) on the end-of-camp assessment.
- Approved Alternative Assessment: Demonstrate the equivalent of Approaches Expectations on a state‑approved norm‑referenced assessment (e.g., MAP, STAR, i‑Ready) used for Summer Reading Camp.
- Previously Retained + Two Years of Intervention.
Reading portfolios are not a GCE.
Summer Reading Camp & Alternate Cut Scores
Invited students attend Summer Reading Camp for small‑group, targeted instruction. Students can qualify for promotion by meeting the approved cut score on an alternate assessment:
| Assessment | Cut Score for Promotion |
|---|---|
| i‑Ready (Reading) | 489 |
Note: SCDE occasionally updates which assessments/cut scores are available for Summer Reading Camp. Your school will share the current options each year.
Timeline & Family Notifications
First Quarter
District sends a general R2S notice to all third‑grade families.
Second Quarter
Families of students performing significantly below grade level are notified in writing.
Third Quarter
Schools hold conferences for students at risk of retention; copies of the conference record are shared with families and staff within two weeks.
Fourth Quarter
SC READY Reading administered; district documents any GCEs and invites eligible students to Summer Reading Camp.
Summer Reading Camp
Camp participation + end‑of‑camp assessment determine eligibility for the SRC GCE.
End of Summer → Fall
District makes final promotion/retention decisions and notifies families. Families may appeal in writing within two weeks of notification.
How Families Can Help
- 📚 Read daily (10–20 minutes). Talk about the book’s characters, setting, and main idea.
- 🗓️ Attend conferences and review progress reports and intervention plans.
- 🏠 Use school‑provided practice materials and reading apps at home.
- 📞 Stay in contact with your child’s teacher or literacy coach.
Contact
Sandra Frazier
Lee County School District Office of Instruction 📍 310 Roland Street, Bishopville, SC 29010
📞 803‑484‑5327
📧 Email: [email protected]
Resources
- SCDE – Third Grade Retention
- SCDE – Third Grade Retention & Guidance (PDF)
- State Law: SC Code §59‑155‑160
We will update this page if the state releases new guidance.