1 out of every 3 Iowa third graders cannot read at grade level.
Learning to read is one of the most important milestones in a child’s education. But if a child hasn’t learned to read by the end of third grade, they’re likely to struggle throughout the rest of their school years.
That’s because starting in fourth grade, the focus of education shifts. Instead of learning how to read, students are expected to read in order to learn. Textbooks, assignments, and tests all assume that students can understand written information. Without strong reading skills by this stage, students begin to fall behind.
Iowa’s Reading Challenge
In Iowa, the numbers are concerning. One in every three third graders can’t read at grade level. Among low-income students, only half are proficient. And the situation is even worse for students with disabilities and for English learners (students whose first language isn’t English): about 75% of them are not reading at grade level.
The National Center to Improve the Tools of Educators explains it clearly:
“Students who do not ‘learn to read’ during the first three years of school experience enormous difficulty when they are subsequently asked to ‘read to learn.’”
This statement reflects the reality many Iowa students face. According to the 2024 Iowa State Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP), 12,131 third graders were not proficient in English Language Arts (ELA).
Why Early Reading Skills Predict Future Success
Reading proficiency by the end of third grade is a strong predictor of high school graduation. Students who fall behind in reading early on are more likely to fall behind in other subjects later. If Iowa doesn’t prepare students to read well by third grade, more students will likely drop out of high school.
And dropping out has long-term consequences. High school dropouts have a harder time finding steady jobs, often earn lower wages, and are more likely to rely on government assistance. This not only affects the individual but also places a financial strain on the economy through lower tax contributions and increased welfare costs.
What You Can Do
Want to know how students in your local school are doing? Use the table below to check third grade reading proficiency rates in your area. Local school boards are responsible for curriculums in their district. If your district is not performing as well as they should, share this with one of your school board members. For more details on your district’s performance, visit www.itrreportcard.org.
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