Learning Archives — Go Beyond Grades

Now that students are heading back to school, families and their young readers have an opportunity to start the school year strong. The Go Beyond Grades Arkansas campaign is encouraging you and your family to CONNECT with your child’s teacher, CHECK your child’s progress using multiple sources of information, and CREATE a plan for support at school and at home. Here’s how:

1. Connect with your child’s teacher early.

Reach out at the beginning of the school year to start building a strong partnership. As the expert on your child, you can share their strengths, interests, learning preferences and areas where additional support may be helpful.

2. Check the full picture of your child’s progress.

When it comes to understanding how your child is doing in school, don’t rely on report card grades alone. To get a broader understanding, you can ask the teacher questions like “Is my child reading on grade level?” and “How do I understand my child’s ATLAS results?” Additionally, you can review information such as classroom assignments, teacher observations, grades on projects and quizzes, and screener results.

3. Create a plan with your child’s teacher.

Ask what your child will be learning, which skills need additional attention, what support is available at school and how you can help at home. Agree on a few realistic next steps and set a time to check in again about progress.

4. Ask about reading support when needed.

If your student needs additional reading support, ask their teacher whether they have an Individual Reading Plan and how you can reinforce the plan at home. Third-grade families should also review information provided by the school about promotion requirements and available tutoring, after-school and Read-at-Home supports.

5. Build learning into everyday routines.

Read with children regularly, ask them about what they are learning, and use free community and online resources to practice specific skills. R.I.S.E. Arkansas Family Resources is one place to find free K-8 tools and activities.

“The latest data show that the LEARNS Act is working, but we still have more to do to ensure every child in Arkansas can read and learn,” said Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva. “Teachers and parents are essential to this progress, and we are pursuing many ways to support them.”

Free tips and tools are available in English and Spanish at gobeyondgrades.org/arkansas/. These resources include the ATLAS Family Toolkit, which can help you gain a better understanding of your child’s state test score report and proficiency level, as well as back-to-school ideas for connecting with your child’s teacher.

Seventy-two percent of Arkansas parents say their kids get B’s or better. Yet only 40% of children statewide are currently reading on grade level. Ensuring that families can make informed decisions about their children’s education begins with knowing exactly where their child is academically.

Under the Arkansas LEARNS Act, third-grade students are expected to meet a minimum reading standard to be promoted to fourth grade. That means it’s important for families to use multiple sources of information – end-of-year state tests, assessment results throughout the year, homework, quizzes, and observations from the classroom and at home, to understand their child’s reading progress.

The good news? Putting the pieces together can give you the full picture of how your child is progressing. In fact, you can play a big role in helping your child enjoy reading, meet grade-level standards and thrive in and out of the classroom. The Go Beyond Grades campaign encourages you to support your child’s learning at home this summer by taking these steps:

Check your child’s reading progress. Log into the ATLAS portal to get your child’s most recent state test results. This is the best way to see if they are meeting grade-level standards or if they need more support. If your child’s Spring 2026 score doesn’t appear, reach out to your child’s school.
Connect to summer learning resources. Use the Arkansas State Library’s interactive map to find free summer reading programs near you and get suggestions for books to read with your child. Take time to read together for 15-20 minutes every day. These simple habits will help keep your child on track (and avoid the “summer slide”). You can also check out R.I.S.E. Arkansas Family Resources for free K-8 tools.
Remember to have fun. Kids will be more excited about learning and literacy when it’s fun. Fortunately, summer is a great time to combine your child’s interests with free and fun learning opportunities at home and in your community. For example, if your child loves a particular sport, encourage them to read up on the history of the game and their favorite players. If they love cooking or crafting, following the steps of a project or recipe is a great way to practice reading skills while doing something they are passionate about. With a little creativity, any activity can be an opportunity for you to spend time with your child while they learn and grow.

“When families have clear information and the right tools, they can change the trajectory of their child’s reading journey,” said Kathy French, executive director of AR Kids Read. “In partnership with Learning Heroes and the Go Beyond Grades Campaign, AR Kids Read is working directly with communities across Arkansas to help families understand school assessments and how to support their child’s reading at home. Together, we can ensure every child has the support they need to become a confident reader.”

Free tools, tips, and resources for families can be found in both Spanish and English by visiting gobeyondgrades.org/Arkansas.

5 Back-to-School Tips for Arkansas Families