This piece make the case that the third grade is more important than 11th. 

"Third-graders who lack proficiency in reading are four times more likely to become high school dropouts."

Only in the rarest of incidents should a third-grade child still not be held back if they are not reading by 3rd grade.

"The ideal alternative: teachers and parents would collaborate on the creation of an individualized learning plan for each third-grader who needs help with reading — a plan that might involve specialized instruction, tutoring or summer school. Most important is taking action, researchers say, and not assuming that reading problems will work themselves out."

-Angela

Why Third Grade Is So Important: The ‘Matthew Effect’

Children who have made the leap to fluent reading will learn exponentially, while those who haven't will slump

By Annie Murphy Paul @anniemurphypaulSept. 26, 2012

Read more: Anne Murphy Paul: 'Matthew Effect' and Why Third Grade Is So Important | TIME.com http://ideas.time.com/2012/09/26/why-third-grade-is-so-important-the-matthew-effect/#ixzz2kxwU2OVj