What happens if a child does not pass fcat in third grade?

In Florida, if a third-grader doesn't pass the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) reading portion (which replaced the FCAT), they don't automatically get held back. Instead, they are required to participate in a summer reading camp and receive additional support during the following school year. If they still don't demonstrate reading proficiency after that intervention, then retention (being held back) is a possibility, but it's not automatic. The decision to retain a student is made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account multiple factors beyond just the FSA score. These factors might include teacher recommendations, the student's overall academic performance, and their progress in the summer reading camp and subsequent support programs.