About 23% of third graders, or nearly 12,000 students, scored below the required reading level last spring. But fewer than 3% were ultimately held back, according to newly provided state data.

As states pass laws requiring schools to follow the “science of reading,” one aspect of these policies has stirred up particular controversy: Holding back struggling readers who don’t reach ...

At some point over the past few pandemic years, many states pressed pause on one particular high-stakes, controversial piece of education policy: 3rd grade retention. But now, it’s back. The laws ...