In 2019, the Alabama legislature passed the Alabama Literacy Act. The Alabama Literacy Act was established to improve the reading proficiency of public school kindergarten through 3rd grade students and ensure that those students are able to read at or above grade level by the end of the 3rd grade. The law states that all 3rd grade students shall demonstrate sufficient reading skills for promotion to 4th grade, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.

In accordance with the law, all kindergarten through 3rd grade students are given an Alabama State Department of Education approved reading assessment. Based on the results of the assessment, each kindergarten through 3rd grade student who exhibits a reading deficiency shall be provided an appropriate reading intervention to address his/her specific needs. In addition, parents of any student who exhibits a consistent deficiency will be notified, an Individual Reading Plan shall be developed, and parents shall be given strategies and resources to use at home to help the student succeed in reading.