Advancing Early Literacy with a 1st-Grade Safety Net
This Brookings Institution article argues that states should shift their literacy intervention focus from 3rd grade to 1st grade, creating a 'safety net' for struggling readers. It cites research showing that poor readers in 1st grade rarely catch up without intervention, and that high-dosage tutoring (HDT) in 1st grade yields significant and lasting returns. The authors point to a Massachusetts study where 85% of tutored 1st graders who mastered foundational skills remained at grade level through 2nd grade. They recommend states build a system with evidence-based core instruction, universal screeners three times per year, and a FERPA-compliant early warning data system to trigger tutoring. The article critiques most states for organizing literacy around 3rd-grade retention policies instead of early intervention, and calls for a sustained, systematic approach to early-grade HDT.
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