"We've hit that mark (and) that is significant amidst a pandemic," Indian River County Superintendent David Moore told the School Board Tuesday.
The largest decline was seen in statewide results, with Florida school districts reporting a combined drop of 4%, down from 58% last year to 54% this year.
In Martin County, 52% of third graders achieved a Level 3 or above, down from 54% in 2020; in St. Lucie, it was 47% of third graders, down from 50% last year, records show.
The annual test, first administered in 2015, measures student achievement of the state's academic standards, specifically in English and math.
It's significant because the state requires any third grader who fails to score at least at Level 2 to repeat third grade unless they qualify for an exemption. However, this year, because of the pandemic, students may be promoted regardless of their scores.