Arkansas school districts allowing hundreds of third graders to advance despite state rule on literacy tests

Arkansas school districts have granted exemptions to hundreds of third graders who failed the state’s new literacy test, allowing them to advance to fourth grade despite not meeting grade-level standards under the LEARNS Act. The law, signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, mandates that students must read and write at grade level to progress, but the Arkansas Department of Education allows districts flexibility in waiving retention requirements. In the Springdale School District, nearly 97% of students who fell short of literacy standards received exemptions. The North Little Rock School District reported that 110 of 202 students scoring at the lowest level (Level 1) were exempted after tutoring, while only 16 passed a retest. Districts can waive requirements for students with disabilities, limited English proficiency, or those who demonstrate grade-level performance through alternative assessments. The state’s end-of-year Arkansas Teaching, Learning & Assessment System (ATLAS) exam ended May 22, with retesting available until June 30. Students scoring Level 1—indicating limited understanding—typically require retention, but districts decide exemptions based on criteria like tutoring progress or portfolio evidence of proficiency. Waivers also apply to students who consistently perform at grade level but scored below standards on the ATLAS. The Arkansas Department of Education permits districts to grant exemptions for ‘good-cause’ cases, such as approved academic support or other justifiable reasons. Preliminary data show many students advancing despite initial failures, raising questions about enforcement of the new literacy requirements.