CLINTON, Miss. (AP) — A larger share of Mississippi third graders passed the state's reading test on the first try this year.
The Mississippi Department of Education says 87 percent of 39,000 public school third graders passed the computerized test.
About 85 percent of third-graders passed on the initial attempt in 2015, the first year students were required to pass. Average test scores increased slightly in 2016.
About 5,000 students still need to pass to reach fourth grade. They've got two more chances, one before school ends and one during summer. Some students can also advance with exemptions.
Students must reach a basic reading skill level, not national standards of proficiency.
Last month, Gov. Phil Bryant signed a law requiring students to score at a higher level to reach fourth grade starting in 2019.
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