Most parents want the same thing: for their children to succeed.
We check report cards. We ask about homework. We encourage studying. And when grades look good, we breathe a little easier.
But new research suggests that report cards may not always tell the full story.
A recent study of more than 2,000 parents found that most parents trust report card grades more than standardized test scores when deciding whether their child needs extra help. And that trust can have real consequences for students.
Researchers from Oregon State University and the University of Chicago created fictional fifth graders and presented parents with different combinations of grades and test scores.
Parents were asked how they would respond. Would they invest time reading with their child? Hire a tutor? Enroll them in after-school programs?
Here’s what stood out:
Parents increased help when both grades and test scores were low.
Parents were much less likely to step in when grades were high but test scores were low.
More than 70 percent of parents said they trust grades more than test scores.
Fewer than 9 percent said they trusted test scores more.
In short, when report cards show A’s, most parents assume everything is fine — even if standardized test results show their child is performing below grade level.
There are a few reasons.
Grades are familiar. They feel personal. They reflect daily effort and classroom participation.
Test scores, on the other hand, are often confusing. Percentiles and scaled scores are harder to interpret. Some parents distrust standardized tests altogether. In the study:
40 percent said they believed tests were biased.
Nearly 30 percent thought scores mostly reflected family income.
Fewer than 20 percent believed tests accurately captured their child’s skills.
There’s also a psychological factor. When good news and bad news appear together, people tend to focus on the good. If the report card shows mostly A’s, it is easy to dismiss lower test results.
But when grades rise and test scores fall, children can slip through the cracks.
Literacy is foundational. By third grade, reading shifts from learning to read to reading to learn. If students are behind at that point, catching up becomes significantly harder.
When grades are inflated or do not reflect true skill levels, families may delay intervention. And early support is critical. The longer reading gaps persist, the harder they are to close.
The researchers warn that when parents underestimate academic challenges, children may receive less support than they need. Over time, that affects graduation rates, long-term earnings, and even workforce readiness.
Strong grades are encouraging. But they should not be the only signal.
If grades and test scores do not align, it is worth asking questions:
Is my child reading independently at grade level?
Can they summarize what they read?
Are they struggling more than peers?
Do classroom grades reflect mastery or effort?
Transparency matters. Early action matters even more.
At At Grade Level, we believe families deserve clear information about whether children are reading at grade level — not just reassurance that everything looks fine on paper.
If you’re unsure where your child stands, you can start here:
Take the Grade Level Reading Assessment
Because a report card may tell part of the story.
But literacy tells the rest.
Read full story at: hechingerreport.org
Booked: Literacy vs Incarceration is a forthcoming documentary from At Grade Level, produced in partnership with community and county leaders in Fort Worth. The film investigates one of America’s most overlooked issues: the connection between literacy and incarceration.
We are seeking authentic voices and lived experiences from within the corrections and rehabilitation community. Ideal participants include:
Correctional officers, wardens, or administrators who have seen how literacy impacts inmate behavior and rehabilitation.
Education coordinators or volunteers running reading, GED, or reentry programs in correctional facilities.
Formerly incarcerated individuals who struggled with reading and found freedom through education.
Probation officers or community leaders working with literacy and reentry programs.
Your story or perspective could help reshape how America understands the relationship between education and incarceration.
Location: Fort Worth / Tarrant County area (or virtual, if necessary)
Dates: Filming throughout November
Format: On-camera, conversational interview (approx. 30–45 minutes)
Use: Footage will appear in the Booked documentary and related literacy awareness campaigns.
All participants will receive credit and may review their segment for context and accuracy before final release.
Amplify the role of literacy in crime prevention and rehabilitation.
Help educate the public and policymakers on solutions that work.
Inspire hope and second chances through education.
Because every book in a child’s hands is one less cell filled in our jails.
If you or someone you know could offer a valuable perspective, please sign up via the signup sheet on the right!
Fort Worth ISD is making real progress for students with dyslexia, thanks to Dr. Karen Molinar’s leadership.
By expanding early screenings, teacher training, and launching programs like:
She’s ensuring every child gets the support they need to read and succeed.
Show your appreciation for this step forward in literacy.
Send Dr. Molinar a thank-you email today! >>
This new report followed nearly 30,000 Fort Worth students from 8th grade through six years after high school. The results are sobering: too many never graduate, and fewer than 1 in 5 earn a college degree. The difference between a living wage and a lifetime of struggle often comes down to education — and right now, the odds are stacked against our kids.
VIEW REPORT BELOW
Parents across Fort Worth believe their children are doing fine, but the reality is that most aren’t reaching the milestones needed for success. This problem isn’t “out there.” It could affect your family, your neighborhood, and your child.
Do you believe Fort Worth students will graduate prepared for the future? We want to know, take the poll!
Welcome to ReadRise, a newsletter by At Grade Level created to highlight the importance of reading at grade level! Each week, we'll bring you exciting stories and inspiring insights to make your child's education journey unforgettable, setting them up for lifelong success. Together, let’s lay the foundation for a lifetime of achievement!📚✨
Read moreWelcome to ReadRise, a newsletter by At Grade Level created to highlight the importance of reading at grade level! Each week, we'll bring you exciting stories and inspiring insights to make your child's education journey unforgettable, setting them up for lifelong success. Together, let’s lay the foundation for a lifetime of achievement!📚✨
Read moreThe school board made literacy Fort Worth ISD’s top priority. Now it’s time to make sure the budget follows through. Send a message urging board members to create a budget that ensures literacy is the #1 priority.
Welcome to ReadRise, a newsletter by At Grade Level created to highlight the importance of reading at grade level! Each week, we'll bring you exciting stories and inspiring insights to make your child's education journey unforgettable, setting them up for lifelong success. Together, let’s lay the foundation for a lifetime of achievement!📚✨
Read moreWelcome to ReadRise, a newsletter by At Grade Level created to highlight the importance of reading at grade level! Each week, we'll bring you exciting stories and inspiring insights to make your child's education journey unforgettable, setting them up for lifelong success. Together, let’s lay the foundation for a lifetime of achievement!📚✨
Read moreDid you take the at home test? Sign your name today if you did!
84% of Tarrant County parents believe their student can read at grade level. The truth is that nearly half of Tarrant County students can't.
By signing this pledge, you are committing to:
✅ Encouraging your child to read aloud to you regularly.
✅ Checking in on their reading progress to ensure they’re on track.
✅ Taking action if they need extra support—because every child deserves the gift of literacy.
Welcome to ReadRise, a newsletter by At Grade Level created to highlight the importance of reading at grade level! Each week, we'll bring you exciting stories and inspiring insights to make your child's education journey unforgettable, setting them up for lifelong success. Together, let’s lay the foundation for a lifetime of achievement!📚✨
Read moreBoth the Fort Worth ISD School Board and Tarrant County Commissioners have taken bold steps by making literacy the #1 priority.
How is the budget reflecting this?
Welcome to ReadRise, a newsletter by At Grade Level created to highlight the importance of reading at grade level! Each week, we'll bring you exciting stories and inspiring insights to make your child's education journey unforgettable, setting them up for lifelong success. Together, let’s lay the foundation for a lifetime of achievement!📚✨
Read moreWelcome to ReadRise, a newsletter by At Grade Level created to highlight the importance of reading at grade level! Each week, we'll bring you exciting stories and inspiring insights to make your child's education journey unforgettable, setting them up for lifelong success. Together, let’s lay the foundation for a lifetime of achievement!📚✨
Read moreThe Tarrant County Commissioners just took a bold step by making literacy priority #1. Their leadership will help ensure every child reads at grade level, strengthening our schools, economy, and public safety.
Let’s make sure they know we appreciate their commitment! Send a thank-you message now and show your support.
Welcome to ReadRise, a newsletter by At Grade Level created to highlight the importance of reading at grade level! Each week, we'll bring you exciting stories and inspiring insights to make your child's education journey unforgettable, setting them up for lifelong success. Together, let’s lay the foundation for a lifetime of achievement!📚✨
Read moreOver 70% of prison inmates can’t read above a fourth-grade level.
Kids who fall behind in reading are more likely to drop out and turn to crime.
On February 19th, Tarrant County Commissioners will consider a resolution urging all schools to make literacy their top priority.
Welcome to ReadRise, a newsletter by At Grade Level created to highlight the importance of reading at grade level! Each week, we'll bring you exciting stories and inspiring insights to make your child's education journey unforgettable, setting them up for lifelong success. Together, let’s lay the foundation for a lifetime of achievement!📚✨
Read moreWelcome to ReadRise, a newsletter by At Grade Level created to highlight the importance of reading at grade level! Each week, we'll bring you exciting stories and inspiring insights to make your child's education journey unforgettable, setting them up for lifelong success. Together, let’s lay the foundation for a lifetime of achievement!📚✨
Read moreWelcome to ReadRise, a newsletter by At Grade Level created to highlight the importance of reading at grade level! Each week, we'll bring you exciting stories and inspiring insights to make your child's education journey unforgettable, setting them up for lifelong success. Together, let’s lay the foundation for a lifetime of achievement!📚✨
Read more
yoel perez 58PTS