Reading Revolution: Schools Prioritize Phonics to Catch Up Third Graders Disrupted by Pandemic.

Third grade is a crucial year for students to master reading, but pandemic-related school interruptions have made it much harder. In Atlanta, where most students are behind in reading, the district has added 30 minutes of class time a day for three years to help teachers tailor lessons to small groups of students based on their abilities. However, some students are still struggling, and teachers are concerned about their ability to catch up. Research shows that students who don't read fluently by third grade are less likely to complete high school, and those who don't graduate are more likely to end up in prison.