A state reading initiative that was designed for 3rd graders who struggle with reading was recently scrapped by state lawmakers.

Knoxville School’s Superintendent Cassi Pearson tells KNIA/KRLS News she was not upset to see the program scrapped because research shows that retention is not effective and often times will contribute to a student dropping out later. The program was for 3rd graders who fail grade level reading tests at the end of the school year, who would not be promoted to fourth grade unless they participated in the summer reading program.