Students in early elementary grades in North Carolina continue to show gains in literacy skills.
The results of a key assessment administered at the beginning of the school year show the percentage of students on track in kindergarten through third grade who were performing at or above the benchmark score was higher this school year than in 2021-22.
Of the 454,000 North Carolina students who were assessed at the start of this school year, nearly 28,000 more were performing at or above the benchmark this year compared to last school year.
Additionally, the statewide results show that fewer students this school year were well below assessment benchmarks and in need of intensive intervention.
The gains were achieved during the first full year of a statewide initiative to support elementary school teachers with extensive training in instruction based on the “science of reading,” a phonics-based approach.