Texas Reading Initiative Goals

• All students will read on grade level or above by the end of Grade 3 and continue to read on grade level or above throughout their schooling
  
• To best serve the needs of Texas public school children. Parents, teachers, administrators, business leaders, and community members all need to be involved in improving the reading skills of our children.

Parent Guide to Testing Requirements

In the 76th session, the Texas Legislature made changes to state law to help all children in Texas learn to read. The new requirements apply to children who enter kindergarten in the 1999-2000 school year and to all students who enter kindergarten thereafter.

State Law Requirements

Students enrolled in kindergarten during the 1999-2000 school year will be the first students who must meet the new testing requirements of Texas Education Code §28.0211.
These children who will be in third grade during the 2002-2003 school year must pass the Grade 3 statewide assessment in reading in order to be promoted to fourth grade. These same students must satisfy additional requirements in the fifth grade in 2004- 2005 and in the eighth grade in 2007- 2008.

How can families help?

• Talk, ask questions, and keep in touch with your child's teacher and school. Spend as much time as possible reading a wide variety of books and other kinds of text with your child.
  
• Ask questions about what they have read, discussing the meanings of new words, and comparing one story with another.

• Reduce television time. Plan family learning activities that will support your child's learning.

• Discuss with your child's teacher the results of the reading inventory that each student takes in kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade. The reading inventory is required under Texas Education Code §28.006. This is an additional tool to monitor progress and to support the overall quality of reading instruction that your child is receiving.

To learn more about helping your child begin to read, you may order the booklet Beginning Reading Instruction: Practical Ideas for Parents by calling the Texas Education Agency Publications Distribution Office at (512) 463-9744.