Back to full version
The Third Grade Reading Guarantee

In summer 2012, legislation strengthened the Third Grade Reading Guarantee to give greater emphasis to reading instruction and intervention in the early grades. Through this initiative, school districts and community schools will diagnose reading deficiencies in students at grades kindergarten through three, create individualized reading improvement and monitoring plans and provide intensive reading interventions. The new law also includes additional requirements for school districts and community schools. ODE created this page in an effort to provide support to districts, educators, and families.

Posted below are policy guidance documents, instructional tools, and resources for families on the Third Grade Reading Guarantee. This page will be updated as new information becomes available. 

If you have questions or concerns, please email thirdgradeguarantee@education.ohio.gov.

Resource Highlights

  • Video Introduction to the Third Grade Reading Guarantee
  • Policy Guidance on the Third Grade Reading Guarantee (01/09/2013) 
  • Draft List for Research-Based Reading Instruction Programs and the Criteria and Submission Form for other programs (3/22/2013)
  • Research Based Reading Instruction Program Guidance (04/04/2013)
  • Guidance on Which Teachers Must Have Special Credentials (02/11/2013)
  • Update on Senate Bill 21 and its Impact on the Third Grade Reading Guarantee (03/04/2013) 

    The Ohio Department of Education is currently awaiting the resolution of Senate Bill 21 before finalizing the list of comparable diagnostic assessments and the list of research-based reading instruction programs.  Thank you for your patience.


  • Policy Guidance:
  • Research-Based Reading Instruction Programs
      • Deadline for Program Submission Extended to April 30, 2013
      • One option for teachers to meet the requirement of the Third Grade Reading Guarantee is to complete an approved research-based reading instruction program.  ODE has released the criteria it will use to evaluate and approve these programs.  A draft list of approved programs for this qualification option is posted below. 
      • If you know of a program that is not included on the list, and you believe it meets the criteria outlined by ODE, please complete the program submission form and email it to thirdgradeguarantee@education.ohio.gov by April 30, 2013.
      • FAQ on the Research-Based Reading Instruction Programs (4/22/2013) 
      • Draft List for Research-Based Reading Instruction Programs (3/22/2013)
      • Research Based Reading Instruction Program Criteria and Submission Form (3/22/2013)
  • Early Literacy and Reading Readiness Competitive Grant:
  • Diagnostic Assessments:
      • State Developed Diagnostic Assessments 2012-13 Guidance Document (01/08/2013)
      • Policy Guidance on the Use of the KRA-L for the Third Grade Reading Guarantee (09/13/2012)
  • Statewide Education Conference (November 2012)
      • More than 2,000 educators spent two days learning about the most urgent issues that will shape the future of learning for Ohio’s 1.8 million students.
      • Summaries of breakout sessions such as the Third Grade Reading Guarantee and Student Learning Objectives can be found on the conference blog.
  • ODE Links:

    Resources for Educators

  • Board of Regents Guidance on Reading Endorsement Programs
  • Common Core Standards in English Language Arts
  • PARCC Model Content Frameworks
  • Reading First Resources for Educators
  • Diagnostic Assessments Related Materials, which lists the definitions for On-Track and Not On-Track and the score table to be used with the ODE-developed Diagnostics
  • Get It, Got It, Go - a quick, efficient and repeatable tool that is useful in measuring children’s risk and progress in critical language and early literacy indicators
  • Literacy Learning Objects

    Resources for Families

  • Reading First Resources for Families
  • Common Core Standards Document for Families – NPTA
  • IEPs and TGRG Parent Info

    If you have questions or concerns, please email thirdgradeguarantee@education.ohio.gov.

  •  
    Last Modified May 10, 2013 10:42 AM

    | John R. Kasich, Governor | Dr. Richard A. Ross, Superintendent of Public Instruction | Privacy | Jobs | State Board | Employees | Site Map | Mobile | Contact ODE |
    The Department of Education is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services.