More States Retaining Struggling 3rd Graders

Some families in Tulsa, Okla., recently received a brochure that surely grabbed their attention. The title? "Will your child pass third grade?"

Produced by the 15,000-student Union district, the handout explains the state's pending reading requirements for students to advance to the 4th grade. It also outlines what the district is doing to help students read and offers tips for what parents can do at home.

Oklahoma is one of several states that recently adopted new reading policies that—with limited exceptions—call for 3rd graders to be held back if they flunk...