Alabama Schools See Gains in Third-Grade Reading Proficiency
Recent analysis by the Alabama Public Relations Research Council reveals that certain Alabama school systems, particularly those facing significant financial challenges, have posted impressive third-grade reading scores this year.
In Wilcox County, where over 90% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, an astounding 96% of third graders met or exceeded the state’s reading benchmarks this spring. Following a summer literacy camp, every student who participated met the required standards.
Wilcox County achieved the second-highest third-grade reading proficiency in Alabama, trailing only Mountain Brook, and outperformed several larger and more affluent districts.
Similarly, other high-poverty districts also reported improved results. Lowndes County noted that 90% of third graders reached the benchmark, which marks a 7.6-point increase from the previous year.
Bullock County enjoyed a rise of 7.5 points, with 85% of its students hitting the benchmark, while Selma city schools reported a proficiency rate of 90%, reflecting a 5.8-point gain from last year.
The percentage of Alabama third graders falling below the state’s proficiency benchmarks dropped from 17% in 2023 to 9% in 2024. This shift decreases the number of students at risk of retention due to the Alabama literacy law.
The Alabama Literacy Act, introduced in 2019, broadened the support for early reading education. Funding for the Alabama Reading Initiative has more than doubled, ensuring the presence of reading coaches in all K-3 schools and offering specialized training for teachers in literacy instruction.
National test results echo this positive trend. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, Alabama was one of only two states where fourth-grade reading scores surpassed pre-pandemic levels, rising from 49th place to 34th over the past five years.
Moreover, some districts are launching additional early educational initiatives aimed at boosting literacy outcomes, including universal pre-K and summer learning programs.
Interestingly, smaller and rural districts sometimes demonstrate higher proficiency levels compared to their larger urban counterparts. For instance, Bessemer and Montgomery continue to report substantial numbers of students under the benchmarks.
Montgomery County saw a decrease in reading proficiency, falling from 82% to 76%, whereas Bessemer’s schools experienced a sharper decline, dropping from 85% to 68%—a 17-point drop.
Overall, data indicates that several underprivileged districts in Alabama are achieving noteworthy third-grade reading results. Many of these districts are now meeting or surpassing the statewide average, suggesting that recent investments in literacy are positively affecting diverse school systems.
