As states pass laws requiring schools to follow the “science of reading,” one aspect of these policies has stirred up particular controversy: Holding back struggling readers who don’t reach ...

Every year, thousands of Tennessee third graders face being held back under a state reading law. While most advance to the next grade, they must navigate a fast-moving timeline to avoid retention.

Initial passing rates for third graders in the Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District on the state-mandated reading ...