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Second federal judge orders temporary reinstatement of thousands of probationary employees fired by the Trump administration; U.S., Canada political tension could affect Maine summer tourism; Report: Incarceration rates rise in MS, U.S. despite efforts at reform; MI study: HBCU students show better mental health, despite challenges.

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Trump administration faces legal battles on birthright citizenship; the arrest of a Palestinian activist sparks protests over free speech. Conservationists voice concerns about federal job cuts impacting public lands, and Ohio invests in child wellness initiatives.

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Farmers worry promised federal reimbursements aren't coming while fears mount that the Trump administration's efforts to raise cash means the sale of public lands, and rural America's shortage of doctors has many physicians skipping retirement.

In Ohio, Pushback Grows Against Holding Kids Back Based on a Single Reading Test

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Monday, July 10, 2023   

After Ohio's State Board of Education passed a resolution urging the General Assembly to eliminate the requirement for third-grade students who have not met required scores on a standardized reading test to be held back, teachers across the state continue to push for changes.

Karen Carney, a fourth grade teacher in Campbell, said the current one-size-fits all model does not account for children already behind by the time they have reached third grade, especially students with poor attendance, or who have learning disabilities like dyslexia not caught early-on.

"Reading to your child at home, having them exposed to books, pencils, markers, all those kinds of things," Carney advised. "You'd be surprised how many students have not held a pencil or crayon, until they come to kindergarten."

She pointed out early intervention and support would help kids struggling with reading, and could be especially beneficial to students of color who, research shows, are disproportionately affected by mandatory retention. Supporters of the current policy argued it ensures kids are reading at grade level.

Carney added with more resources, parents and administrators could create a tailored plan for early intervention based on individual students' needs.

"More money needs to be channeled into public education," Carney asserted. "So class sizes can be smaller, which means you would hire more teachers. Interventions, tier one, tier two, and tier three need to be in place."

Scott DiMauro, president of the Ohio Education Association, said research shows mandatory retention may have caused more harm than good over the past decade in Ohio.

"Using tests in a very heavy-handed way that require the students who don't pass the test on a particular day be held back really is something that creates all kinds of anxiety and problems for kids, and really is frustrating for educators," DiMauro noted.

According to Education Week, from 2019 to 2022, the share of students nationwide reading at grade level fell from 55% to 47% by the time they were in kindergarten.


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