Changes to ACAP Grade-Level Reading Minimum Passing Score

DOTHAN, Ala. – Changes have occurred to the passing score on the English Language Arts portion of the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) taken by students across the state, including students at Dothan City Schools. The Alabama State Board of Education approved increasing the minimum score on the reading assessment and those modifications are being applied to this school year’s assessment.

ACAP is a standardized reading, math and science test that is used to measure a student’s reading skills.  The State Board of Education voted to approve reading assessment cut score changes last fall. The cut score, the minimum score needed to pass an assessment, was raised to 444 for the Grade 3 Grade-Level reading assessment -- a nine-point increase from the previous school year. The change applies to the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. The cut score also was raised to 454 for the 2026-2027 school year.

For students in Grade 2, the Grade-Level reading cut score has risen to 463 for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years and to 471 for the 2026-2027 school year.

The ACAP reading test is part of the English Language section of the ACAP assessment. It tests students’ aptitude in phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Ultimately, scores determine if students are reading at grade level and provide insight in students’ academic progress. Dothan City Schools will administer the ACAP assessment between March 17 and April 25. 

You can learn more about the new ACAP cut score requirements from Dothan City Schools’ Instructional Services: ACAP Grade-Level Reading Minimum Passing Score Changes.

The Alabama State Department of Education has provided a breakdown for students’ Pathways to Promotion and Grade Level Ready Performance Outcomes as part of the Alabama Reading Initiative.

 

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