Some are 18, but cannot read beyond the third-grade level.

"I have eighth graders reading at a third-grade level," she said.

Now 24, he stands about four feet tall and functions on a third-grade level.

There are kids here reading on a third-grade level and it's not your fault.

His scholastic ability had reached the third-grade level when, at age 16, he dropped out.

Recent studies have shown that there are 1.5 million adults in the city who read on a third-grade level or worse.

However, he'd attended five high schools in three states, and could not read above a third-grade level.

I don't care if we have to lower standards to the third-grade level.

"At best, those eighth graders are doing work on a third-grade level," he said.

When he reached third-grade level, the group began to brighten up and ask questions.