3rd graders who don’t meet reading standards may not move on to 4th grade unless parents intervene, per new Maryland policy

With the start of the 2026-2027 school year, third graders who do not meet reading level standards could be held back unless parents intervene, according to a new policy from the Maryland Board of Education. The policy comes as literacy rates in the state have continued to decline. The policy passed in a Tuesday session with an 11-1 vote.