Early reading skills are critical to a successful school experience and a productive work life.

In 2019, 44% of third-graders in our region met or exceeded the state standard in English Language Arts, below the statewide rate of 52%, and up from 29% in 2013. Among counties, the highest passing rate was in Livingston at 48%. Orleans County (47%) had the 2nd highest passing rate followed by Genesee County (46%) and Monroe County (45%).

In Rochester, only 18% of students attending traditional public schools passed the exam, while 50% of students in charter schools did. Across Rochester, roughly 36% of third-graders who took the exam in 2019 attended charter schools, while 64% attended district schools.

We note that a substantial number of students did not take state exams in 2019 due to parent concerns about testing in schools. In our region in 2019, 15% of 3rd-8th graders in the region opted not to take the English exam. In 2019, Spencerport School District had the highest opt-out rate, at 39%, while the Rochester City School District had the lowest rate at 5%. The large percentage of students not taking the exam may have a significant effect on overall achievement levels and should therefore give caution to interpreting these results.

Changes in the state's testing program over the last decade impact the comparability of test results year to year. In 2013, the state shifted to Common Core Standards and Common Core-based tests, making prior years' results non-comparable. The Common Core was adopted in most states to better prepare students for success beyond high school by emphasizing problem solving, understanding and synthesis, comprehension of nonfiction text, and other higher-order thinking skills. Due to the state's new two-session test design and performance standards, the 2018 grades 3-8 results cannot be compared with prior-year results, though results from 2013 to 2017 are provided for context. Data for this indicator are expected to be released in the third quarter.