Michigan lawmakers have yet to further delay Michigan's tough third grade reading retention law, despite legislative efforts that would do so and growing advocacy pushing them in that direction. The rule would require schools to hold back third graders whose state test scores indicate they are a year or more behind in reading. It was set to take effect in 2020, but was put on hold because of the pandemic. Subscribe Democrats in the Michigan Senate introduced legislation March 4 that would suspend the law this school year, as well. Republicans in the Senate followed suit later in the month. Both bills were part of broad legislation that would address other pandemic-related school issues, such as suspending rules related to teacher evaluations. None of the bills have made any progress beyond being assigned to committees. Without any legislative action, the retention rule will remain in effect.