Results from the inaugural third-grate reading gate test were not unexpected. Statewide, 15 percent of third-graders failed the test, meaning they could be kept from advancing to fourth grade.

At local schools, numbers varied from 2 percent to 25 percent. That means about 70 students in Lincoln County and Brookhaven schools could be forced to repeat third grade. But that’s not likely to happen. Students who failed the test are given two more opportunities to take and pass the test. There are also exemptions built into the reading gate, so students with limited English skills and special needs students can advance to fourth grade even if they fail the test.

Schools will also provide intensive tutoring so students are better prepared before taking the test again.

The hope of the reading gate was that it would keep those students who can’t read in third grade, so they can receive additional reading help before advancing to fourth grade. But we’re guessing those same students would have failed third grade before implementation of the test.

Enterprise Attendance Center Principal Shannon Eubanks summed it up nicely: “No student with all As is going in and failing. We spent a whole lot of money, created a lot of angst, a lot of pressure when the results were being told to us already.”

The test simply told educators what they already knew. Teachers know which students can read at grade level and which ones need additional help. Wouldn’t it have been better to simply create a program that targets poor readers, without the pain and expense of a new test? That may have been a better use of taxpayer dollars.