This study was designed to investigate the effects of teacher certification on third grade reading achievement. The population for this study consisted of 21 third grade reading teachers and 655 third grade students who either administered or participated by taking the Third grade MAAP reading assessment in 2018. The scale scores and performance levels of the participants were provided by participating school districts and data were grouped and analyzed based on the following four categories: (1) teachers' certification, (2) teachers' race, (3) teachers' degree level, and (4) school district in which students were enrolled. Statistical analyses of the hypotheses were conducted by using independent samples t-tests, ANOVA, and Tukey's Homogenous Subsets. Findings indicated that there were statistically significant differences in student achievement based on teachers' certification, teachers' race, and school districts in which students were enrolled. However, there was no statistical difference recognized in teachers' degree level. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]