The Be Your Own Hero Motivational Network brought in Ant-Man and local firefighters to help teach reading to first graders at Riverbank Elementary.

Almost every state has overhauled elementary school reading programs. But one group of students is getting left behind.

Reading scores are improving in Alabama, but thousands of third graders could still be held back this year if they can’t catch up over the summer. When adjusted to current benchmarks, about 88% of ...