Fourth graders in Atlanta Public Schools made significant progress in national math and reading tests. Now the district will expand its reading program to middle schools.

Eric Mackey provided an update on reading scores after summer learning. According to preliminary self-reported data from school districts, 1,832 3rd-grade students were retained due to reading.

Compared with 2019, the average reading scores for both grades in 2024 are five points lower and the average mathematics score is three points lower for grade 4 and eight points lower for grade 8 ...

The results showed just 31% of the state’s fourth graders were proficient in reading compared to 33% in 2022 and 36% in 2019. Black fourth grade students fared the worst in the country with 8% ...