Study: Iowa Summer Reading Program Shows Little Growth

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A recent study shows a summer reading program didn’t help the skills of struggling Iowa third graders, raising questions about a state law that will require children to attend summer school or repeat a year if they are behind in reading.

The Des Moines Register reports that the Iowa Reading Research Center study did find that summer school does help struggling readers maintain their skills rather than slip further behind, despite not helping students reach grade-level proficiency.

Officials are looking for the best ways to structure intensive summer reading programs as the state nears the implementation of a third-grade retention law in spring 2018. The law requires students who are behind in reading by the end of the third grade to be given the choice to either repeat the grade or attend summer school.