About 23% of Louisiana third graders were at risk of being held back last spring due to low reading scores. But after students received exemptions or improved their scores, fewer than 3% were required ...

State lawmakers are focusing on education reform, with two bills aimed at improving math and reading skills nearing approval.

Advocates for the law have long argued the point isn’t to hold kids back, but make sure they get the support they need to be ready for fourth grade.