Thousands of 3rd graders could be held back under Alabama's reading law, school chief warns

Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey speaks during the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting in Montgomery, Ala., Dec. 11, 2018. Mackey said on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 that 10,000 or more third-grade students could be held back from fourth grade this year after the Alabama State Board of Education voted on setting the reading test score required to advance. (Jake Crandall/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP, file)