If your child is in elementary school, the Iowa early literacy law affects how your school tracks and supports their reading. The rules have changed since this post first went up, so here is a plain explanation of what the law says now and what to ask your child’s school.
What Is the Iowa Early Literacy Law?
Iowa first passed an early literacy law in 2012. It aimed to get students reading well by third grade, and the original version included summer programs and possible retention for third graders who were not reading at grade level. In 2024, lawmakers passed HF 2618, and Governor Reynolds signed it on May 7, 2024. You can read the Iowa Association of School Boards summary and the Iowa Department of Education’s early literacy page for the official details.
What Does the Law Require Now?
Under the 2024 law, districts must give written notice to parents of any kindergarten through sixth grade student who is not reading at grade level. They must also provide a personalized reading plan, and that plan continues until the student reaches proficiency, through sixth grade if needed.
Retention is now a parent’s choice. If your child is not reading proficiently, you can ask for them to repeat the current grade the next school year. Schools decide proficiency with state-approved measures, which can differ by grade and district, so ask your school which tests it uses.
How Does This Affect My Child?
Whatever the law says, reading is an important skill. A child who is not reading at an appropriate level benefits from help early, because gaps tend to grow when they are left alone. If your child receives a notice, treat it as a starting point for a conversation with the school rather than a final verdict.
Questions to Ask Your Child’s Teacher
- When will my child be tested, and which test will you use?
- Does the testing look at rate, accuracy, fluency, and comprehension?
- How will you share my child’s status with me?
- If my child does not meet the criteria, will they be tested again, and when?
- Which strategies will the school use if my child is not proficient?
- Who will carry out those strategies during the school year, and will it be a good fit for my child?
- Will my child get individual sessions, or only group instruction? If it is a group, what is the range of reading abilities?
Questions to Ask an Outside Tutor
- What credentials does the tutor have, and is it an education background?
- Which specific strategies do they use?
- How do they check a baseline and measure progress?
- Do they use norm-referenced tests, individualized goal data, or both? Both are needed.
- Are sessions group or individual?
- Do they test rate, accuracy, fluency, and comprehension?
How Can I Support Reading at Home?
Short, daily practice makes a real difference. For ideas, see our guides to sight words and spelling and decoding skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is third grade retention required in Iowa?
Under the 2024 law, retention is the parent’s option for students in kindergarten through sixth grade who are not reading proficiently. It is not automatic. If you have questions about your child’s situation, ask your school to explain your options in writing.
Does my child have to attend summer school for reading?
The sources I reviewed describe reading plans and parent-requested retention rather than a summer program requirement. Programs vary by district, so ask your school what it offers and who covers any cost.
When should I get outside help with reading?
Consider outside support if your child has received a notice, struggles to sound out words, or avoids reading. A reading evaluation can show where the gaps are. Dyslexia and other reading difficulties respond best to early, structured help.
How ETLC Can Help
If your child is not reading at the level you hoped, our team can help them reach success. Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center has locations in Johnston and North Liberty, IA, with virtual services also available.
Learn more about reading support at ETLC or schedule a free consultation to talk with a member of our team.
You may also find these pages helpful:
- My Child Was Diagnosed With Dyslexia
- How to Teach Your Child Decoding Skills
- The Iowa Students First Act
About the Author
Sonia Strueby, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the founder of Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center. With over 25 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, Sonia has dedicated her career to helping children overcome complex communication and academic challenges. She has advanced training and a special focus on treating dyslexia and childhood apraxia of speech, and she is passionate about providing families with a clear path to success.
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