This paper presents results of English Language Arts Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) of third grade students for the year 2008-2009. In 2005, 77% of third-grade students who took the 3rd grade Language Arts CRT were proficient; in 2009, 80% of third-grade students were proficient. Third grade proficiency on the Language Arts Test has gradually increased for all subgroups. The Hispanic and Pacific Islander subgroups show the greatest increases. Due to subgroups whose proficiency is typically lower than average but whose population grew faster than average, state numbers remained relatively stable even though individual subgroups improved. In a related matter, the Iowa Test of Basic Skills: Reading Subtest for the fall and spring achievement showed some improvements. Overall, third graders improved by five percent in 2008 from fall to spring and by four percent in 2009 from fall to spring and almost every subgroup improves from the fall to the spring. In 2009, American Indian students showed the most improvement (six percent).