Tuscaloosa City Schools: 90% Of Third Graders Reading On Grade Level

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa City Schools (TCS) reported on Thursday that 90% of its third graders were reading on grade level during the 2024–25 school year.

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This marks the second consecutive year the city school system has reached that proficiency rate.

TCS Superintendent Mike Daria said the results reflect a major turnaround for the school system over the last several years.

“In 2015–16, only 39% of our third graders were reading on grade level, and that was simply unacceptable,” Daria said. “We made a commitment as a district to change that outcome, and these results show that commitment in action. This progress is a direct result of our focused literacy initiatives, dedicated teachers and strong partnerships with families and the community. We’re proud of the work—and we’re not done yet.”

TCS Deputy Superintendent James Pope also touted the growth those students made since second grade. Indeed, he said 82% of TCS second graders were reading on grade level during the 2023–24 school year.

Pope then said that same group of students improved to a 90% proficiency rate.

TCS explained that the data is based on reading scores from the ACAP assessment — administered statewide in Alabama for all elementary students.

“This reflects the dedication of our teachers, the progress our students are making, and the fact that real, meaningful learning is taking place,” Pope said. “The ACAP measures comprehension—you can’t simply teach to the test.”

Several other TCS schools were also commended for one-year gains in reading proficiency, including Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, Oakdale Elementary, Skyland Elementary, the Alberta School of Performing Arts (TASPA) and Woodland Forrest Elementary.

TCS said Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary second graders scored 75% proficiency in reading during the 2023–24 before that same cohort scored 92% proficiency — marking a 17-point increase.

Skyland Elementary students also improved from a 76% proficiency rate in second grade to 90% in third grade while at TASPA, third graders reached 82% proficiency this spring, up 15 percentage points from 67% the year prior.

The improvement is especially critical given the Alabama Literacy Act, passed in 2019, which requires third graders to be reading on grade level. Beginning August 2025, students not meeting that benchmark may be retained.

Nine TCS students were retained last year due to the law.

TCS Director of Student Literacy Terri Byrts said the district aims for every student to read on grade level — most of the 10% who did not benchmark will not be retained — due to exemptions for students receiving special education services or English language learners.

Byrts also said those who didn't meet the benchmark are participating in the TCS summer learning program and will have the opportunity to retake the ACAP this summer.

TCS officials expect few, if any, third graders to be retained due to reading scores.

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