Tuscaloosa City Schools Third Graders Maintain 90% Reading Success Rate

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa City Schools third graders continued to show strong reading success in 2026, with 90% of students meeting the state benchmark for reading sufficiency.

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The district said the results mark the third consecutive year TCS has maintained that level of achievement.

Under the Alabama Literacy Act, students who are not reading on grade level by the end of third grade may be retained before entering fourth grade.

However, TCS said it expects few, if any, retentions this year, as most students who did not meet the benchmark are either exempt under state guidelines or participating in summer learning opportunities with a chance to retest.

“In 2015–16, only 39% of our third graders were reading on grade level,” Superintendent Mike Daria said. “We committed to changing that — and these results show that commitment paying off.”

Several schools also saw notable year-over-year gains. Central Elementary increased from 70% to 80% reading sufficiency, while Oakdale Elementary rose from 83% to 90%. Oakdale’s growth was especially significant compared to three years ago, when only 46% of third graders were reading on grade level.

“These results reflect years of intentional work by our teachers, administrators, support staff and families to ensure students are building strong reading skills early,” Deputy Superintendent Dr. James Pope said. “We are proud of the progress our students have made and will continue working to support every child’s success.”

Daria also praised elementary educators, school leaders and employees across the district for their work.

“A big thank you to all of our elementary schools for remaining focused on strategies that work and for supporting our outstanding students,” Daria said.

The 2026 third-grade reading sufficiency results by school are:

• Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools – Elementary: 100%
• Rock Quarry Elementary: 99%
• Verner Elementary: 97%
• University Place Elementary: 93%
• Woodland Forrest Elementary: 93%
• Oakdale Elementary: 90%
• Arcadia Elementary: 88%
• Skyland Elementary: 87%
• The Alberta School of Performing Arts: 84%
• Southview Elementary: 83%
• Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary: 83%
• Central Elementary: 80%

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