Why Reading For Comprehension by Third Grade Matters
George Edwards, CPA
Reading for comprehension is fundamental to learning. If a child cannot read for comprehension by the end of third grade, he or she will struggle throughout their school career. In all likely hood, the student will graduate functionally illiterate.
I grew up in a household that some would call economically disadvantaged. My parents knew that reading was the key to independence and opportunity. They made sure we read books and kept up with assigned homework. Six of the seven of us graduated from college. My sister and I were valedictorians, and one of my brothers was salutatorian. The foundation in reading opened doors that would have stayed closed otherwise.
Excellent teachers make the difference in classrooms. I had excellent teachers who told me, “If you can read for comprehension, you can go anywhere and do anything.” They believed, and proved, that if you could read for comprehension, you could succeed in whatever endeavor you pursued. They were right.
My three sons could all read for comprehension by third grade. Today, they are double-degree graduates and gainfully employed: one is an assistant principal, one owns an international law firm, and one is a national homebuilding company’s treasurer and an author. Their success is no accident; it is the direct result of a strong educational foundation built on literacy, right here in Cy-Fair ISD.
Literacy Is Not About Income
Every child, whether economically disadvantaged or not, can learn to read for comprehension by the end of third grade. A phonetic-based reading method is very effective in teaching students to read. I live in a neighborhood with upper income families, and I have met children from those homes who cannot read for comprehension either.
Money can buy tutors and technology, but it cannot replace consistent focus on literacy in the early years. Whether a child grows up in poverty or in privilege, the outcome is the same if they cannot read for comprehension. They fall behind, lose confidence, and face limited opportunities.
What Happens When a Student Cannot Read for Comprehension by the End Third Grade
By third grade, students move from learning to read to reading to learn. Without comprehension, they cannot understand science lessons, follow multi-step math problems, or grasp meaning in history texts. Each year, the gap between them and their peers grows wider. Struggling readers are more likely to:
- Fall behind in all academic subjects
- Lose confidence and motivation to learn
- Become discipline problems in school
- Be placed in remedial or “watered-down” classes with low expectations
- Drop out of school before graduation
- Face limited career opportunities and lifelong financial instability
A Plan for Change
- Early Identification – Spot reading challenges in kindergarten and first grade, not after years of struggle.
- Preschool program- introduces young children to the building blocks of reading such as letter recognition, phonics and early vocabulary development
- Utilize teachers trained to teach reading using phonic based methods in grades 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade
- Parental Partnerships – Equip parents with the tools and training to help at home.
- Community Support – Involve churches, businesses, and civic groups in mentoring young readers.
- Expert Collaboration – Partner with organizations such as the Neuhaus Education Center, a nationally recognized reading organization.
- Accountability – Ensure students read for comprehension and it will unlock success in their academic studies
The power of reading for comprehension is great. As your school board trustee, I will fight to ensure that students in Cy-Fair ISD can read for comprehension by the end of third grade.
When we teach a child to read for comprehension, we are not just teaching a skill. We are changing a future.