ACAP Reading: How Did Students Perform With New Cut Scores in 2025?
The Alabama State Department of Education recently released the latest ACAP reading scores for 2nd and 3rd grade students—and for the first time, they reflect newly raised cut scores. These updated benchmarks, part of the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 school years, are reshaping how Alabama defines “on grade level” reading proficiency.
While early literacy remains a priority under the Alabama Literacy Act, the more rigorous standards provide a clearer picture of student readiness. And despite the tougher expectations, many students—and schools—are rising to meet the challenge.
How Did Students Do This Year?
Despite tougher benchmarks, most students met the new expectations:
- 2nd Grade: 81% of students scored at or above grade level.
- 3rd Grade: 88.4% met the promotion threshold of 444—just slightly down from 91% last year under a lower cut score.
State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey noted that these results show real improvement, not decline. “When we apply the new cut scores to past data, this year’s students are performing better,” he explained.
Progress Learning Schools Leading the Way
Of the 738 Alabama schools that scored above the state average in 2nd and/or 3rd grade reading, 161 partner with Progress Learning—that’s nearly 22% of all top-performing schools statewide, and more than one in five!
This is not a coincidence. These results demonstrate how Progress Learning’s ACAP-aligned assessments, phonics support, and adaptive interventions directly contribute to student growth. Our tools don’t just help schools meet the new cut scores—they help them exceed them.
2nd Grade: How Did the Cut Scores Change?
2025 Cut Scores
- Level 1: Below 433
- Level 2: 433–453
- Level 3: 454–474
- Level 4: 475+
Compared to 2024
The promotion cut score increased from 454 to 463—a nine-point jump that reflects higher expectations in decoding, fluency, and comprehension. Many Progress Learning schools not only met but exceeded these new demands, with several surpassing the 90% proficiency mark.
3rd Grade: How Did the Cut Scores Change?
2025 Cut Scores
- Level 1: Below 435
- Level 2: 435–455
- Level 3: 456–476
- Level 4: 477+
Compared to 2024
The promotion threshold rose from 435 to 444. This shift aligns with national benchmarks and gives educators a clearer view of whether students are prepared for 4th grade and beyond. While overall percentages dipped slightly, the new scores more accurately reflect student readiness.
How Progress Learning Supports Alabama Schools
Progress Learning is designed to help Alabama schools meet higher standards with targeted support and data-driven tools:
- ACAP-Aligned Practice: Pre-built and customizable assessments reflect the rigor and format of ACAP, helping students get comfortable with test expectations.
- Phonics & Foundational Reading: Structured phonics instruction supports early readers as they build decoding and fluency skills critical for ACAP success.
- Liftoff Adaptive Intervention: When students need extra support, Liftoff creates individualized learning paths based on diagnostic data, including full integration with NWEA MAP for Alabama schools.
As the state continues to raise expectations in reading, tools like Progress Learning provide the scaffolding schools need to ensure every student rises with them.
Subscribe below for more updates on ACAP prep and scores.
