Essential Question 8

About this Essential Question

This question examines critical academic benchmarks that are highly predictive of future educational success. Reading and math proficiency in grades 3 and 8 are key indicators of students’ preparation for advanced coursework and later educational outcomes. Students who fall behind in these foundational skills may struggle to catch up in later grades. For example, students not reading at grade level by grade 3 are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Education leaders, curriculum specialists, and intervention teams can use this question to understand whether elementary and middle school students are on track for later success, implement targeted support strategies for students needing extra help, and assess whether current instructional approaches are working as intended.

Probing Questions

Use these probing questions to dive deeper on the essential question or approach it through a different lens. Feel free to adapt these questions further or come up with your own.  

• How do reading and math proficiency rates in grades 3 and 8 vary based on where students live and attend school? How do they vary by student race and ethnicity, gender, home language, family income level, and/or disability status?
• How do school policies and practices—such as access to early learning experiences, resource allocation, educator preparation, curriculum alignment, and tiered supports—help or hinder student achievement on these benchmarks?
• What supports are in place for students who do not meet benchmarks in these grades? Do all students who need these supports have access to them?  
• How effective are related instructional practices and interventions? What needs are not currently met by the available supports?
• How might we better support all students in achieving reading and math proficiency in grades 3 and 8? What policies or conditions could be improved? Who needs to be involved?