 Under the change, third grade students in Maryland could be held back if they can't achieve certain scores on state reading tests or demonstrate sufficient reading skills for the fourth grade. The proposed policy change comes following the Board of Education's recent vote to adopt what they call ambitious goals of improving test scores, absenteeism, and teacher diversity. Students in kindergarten through the third grade would enroll in a reading intervention program to help provide supplemental instruction for reading if needed. The DOE is accepting public comments on the plan until July 19th.