In Maryland, a proposed early literacy policy could require third graders who do not read at grade level by the end of the school year to repeat the grade. If implemented, this would align Maryland with a growing trend where 25 states and the District of Columbia have adopted similar third-grade retention policies as of 2022, up from 13 states in 2013. The trend towards third-grade retention is driven by the timing of literacy assessments, which are mandated by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act starting in third grade.
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/why-do-literacy-retention-policies-target-3rd-grade/2024/08
