We brought Indiana's third-grade reading scores from crisis to celebration
And Indiana acted.
This week, we received news that reflects just how far we've come: our 2025 IREAD assessment results show a nearly 5 percentage point increase in third grade reading proficiency in just one year — the largest gain in Indiana's recorded history. This equates to 73,500 third-grade students reading. We know that these are more than just numbers. These are individual students' lives that have been impacted for the better.
To put that into perspective, for states across our country, increasing proficiency rates even one to two percentage points in one school year can be challenging, even with significant investment and effort. In Indiana, the previous record for the largest year-over-year increase was set in 2024, and was less than 1 percentage point. The momentum we are seeing now across Indiana is nothing short of extraordinary — and it signals more than just progress. It signals a movement.
Opinion: Let Hoosier kids have summer. School shouldn't start in late July.
That movement is fueled by the daily, tireless work of Indiana's educators — our teachers, instructional coaches, school leaders, and support staff — who are bringing science of reading to life in classrooms through evidence-based literacy practices and an unwavering belief in every student's potential. It is equally powered by the dedication of parents and communities, who are reinforcing this approach at home and cultivating environments where reading is supported, encouraged, and celebrated.
To every educator: thank you. Your commitment is changing lives. Schools that received embedded instructional coaching and support through the Indiana Literacy Cadre had a 7 percentage point increase in students passing IREAD, or nearly double that of schools that did not participate in the Literacy Cadre.
From the start, we knew that improving literacy would take all of us — and now we're seeing the incredible progress that's possible when we rise to that call together. This success is a testament to the power of unprecedented collaboration and synergy in schools and communities in every corner of our state. With a combined $170 million investment from the Lilly Endowment Inc. and the Indiana General Assembly, Indiana has launched one of the most ambitious early literacy initiatives in the nation — rooted in science of reading and strengthened by aligned policy, robust training, and strategic resources.
Opinion: Indiana should cap out-of-state student enrollment to solve brain drain
This is just the beginning. Every child deserves to be a confident, capable reader by the end of third grade. We must stay focused, stay aligned, and keep our foot on the gas pedal in order for us to reach our goal of 95% proficiency by 2027.
So this week, let's celebrate what happens when a state comes together for its kids. Because this is what real impact looks like.
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Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Indianapolis Star
We brought Indiana's third-grade reading scores from crisis to celebration
Just two years ago, Indiana faced a sobering reality: nearly 1 in 5 third-graders could not read proficiently, and our state was grappling with what many rightfully called a literacy crisis. That moment demanded more than acknowledgment — it demanded action. And Indiana acted. This week, we received news that reflects just how far we've come: our 2025 IREAD assessment results show a nearly 5 percentage point increase in third grade reading proficiency in just one year — the largest gain in Indiana's recorded history. This equates to 73,500 third-grade students reading. We know that these are more than just numbers. These are individual students' lives that have been impacted for the better. To put that into perspective, for states across our country, increasing proficiency rates even one to two percentage points in one school year can be challenging, even with significant investment and effort. In Indiana, the previous record for the largest year-over-year increase was set in 2024, and was less than 1 percentage point. The momentum we are seeing now across Indiana is nothing short of extraordinary — and it signals more than just progress. It signals a movement. Opinion: Let Hoosier kids have summer. School shouldn't start in late July. That movement is fueled by the daily, tireless work of Indiana's educators — our teachers, instructional coaches, school leaders, and support staff — who are bringing science of reading to life in classrooms through evidence-based literacy practices and an unwavering belief in every student's potential. It is equally powered by the dedication of parents and communities, who are reinforcing this approach at home and cultivating environments where reading is supported, encouraged, and celebrated. To every educator: thank you. Your commitment is changing lives. Schools that received embedded instructional coaching and support through the Indiana Literacy Cadre had a 7 percentage point increase in students passing IREAD, or nearly double that of schools that did not participate in the Literacy Cadre. From the start, we knew that improving literacy would take all of us — and now we're seeing the incredible progress that's possible when we rise to that call together. This success is a testament to the power of unprecedented collaboration and synergy in schools and communities in every corner of our state. With a combined $170 million investment from the Lilly Endowment Inc. and the Indiana General Assembly, Indiana has launched one of the most ambitious early literacy initiatives in the nation — rooted in science of reading and strengthened by aligned policy, robust training, and strategic resources. Opinion: Indiana should cap out-of-state student enrollment to solve brain drain This is just the beginning. Every child deserves to be a confident, capable reader by the end of third grade. We must stay focused, stay aligned, and keep our foot on the gas pedal in order for us to reach our goal of 95% proficiency by 2027. So this week, let's celebrate what happens when a state comes together for its kids. Because this is what real impact looks like.
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
IREAD scores improve to record level statewide
State education leaders are celebrating the biggest increase in third grade IREAD literacy scores in the exam's history, which dates back to 2013. During Wednesday's State Board of Education meeting, officials attributed the success, in part, to funding from the Lilly Endowment and the General Assembly to improve literacy, which has lagged behind in recent years. Based on spring and summer retests, results showed 87.3% of the state's 73,500 third graders demonstrated proficient reading skills. The DOE didn't release data on the number of third graders being held back. They represent the first group who could be impacted by a 2024 state law calling for them to be retained if they don't pass the IREAD. It could be significant in some of Lake County's urban schools, especially in the Gary Community School Corp. where all the elementary schools fell below the state proficiency pass rate and two schools — Beveridge and Williams — each posted pass rates of 48.6%. Officials said the retention data would be released in October. All of Gary's charter schools fell below the state pass rate, too, but performed above the traditional district's scores. Among charter schools, just Discovery Charter School in Porter beat the state pass rate. Exemptions were carved out for a student who's already been retained in third grade; a student with an intellectual disability; a student who passed the math portion of the ILEARN; and a student who received intensive reading help for two or more school years and already retained in second grade. Third graders in all seven of Porter County's traditional school districts eclipsed the state pass rate and in Lake County, 10 of 16 districts surpassed the state pass rate. In Porter County, four schools scored 100% pass rates — Jackson in the Duneland School Corp. and Jefferson, Central and Cooks Corner in the Valparaiso Community Schools. In the private Diocese of Gary, 11 of 17 schools in Lake and Porter counties posted 100% pass rates. They include Aquinas, St. John the Evangelist, St. Mary Catholic Community, St. Stanislaus, St. Mary, St. John the Baptist, Our Lady of Grace, St. Thomas More. St. Patrick, Nativity of Our Savior, and St. Paul. 'Indiana has made extraordinary progress from where we began just a few years ago, when nearly one in five Indiana third graders could not read, to today when literacy rates have increased by nearly five percentage points in just one year,' said Katie Jenner, Indiana secretary of education in a press release. State board member Patrick Mapes, the Hamilton Southeastern superintendent, hailed the progress. 'This is monumental as far as the state is concerned,' he said. 'The next thing is harder; how do we gain again in the next school year? It doesn't end; students can't take a break.' The state's goal is 95% proficiency on the IREAD. This year's results marked the first time literacy rates increased for all student populations, including 7.5% for Black, Hispanic and special education students. Officials credited requiring IREAD testing at the second grade level to help teachers identify if students are on track to read by the end of third grade. They also praised the Indiana Literacy Cadre, a partnership between the state, the University of Indianapolis's Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning and Marian University's Center for Vibrant Schools. The cadre provides early elementary teachers with instructional coaching and support in alignment with the science of reading, an evidence-based curriculum. The Lilly Endowment provided about $170 million for the cadre in 2022. To learn more, visit IREAD Assessment Results at: 2024 2025 State average 82.5% 87.3% Lake County Hanover Central 90.5% 93.4% River Forest 79.7% 86.2% Merrillville 79.5% 80.3% Lake Central 91.8% 93.1% Tri-Creek 92.2% 94.8% Lake Ridge 62.7% 65.5% Crown Point 92.4% 94.6% East Chicago 56.2% 62.6% Lake Station 80.3% 79% Gary 49.2% 55.3% Griffith 88.6% 91% Hammond 63.1% 69.6% Highland 85.2% 88% Hobart 82% 88.7% Munster 93.8% 97.6% Whiting 86.4% 96.6 Boone Township 89.9% 98.7% Duneland 93.1% 95.2% East Porter 87.8% 97.6% Porter Twp. 94.6% 94.4% Union Twp. 94.3% 96.5% Portage Twp. 78.1% 89.3% Valparaíso 94.4% 97.5% Charter School of Dunes 48.6% 71.3% Thea Bowman 89.1% 75% Gary Lighthouse 47.1% 77.9% 21st Century 60.8% 75.9% East Chicago Urban Ent. 79.1% 75.6% East Chicago Lighthouse 43.4% 69.2% Aspire 76.7% 72.9% Discovery Charter 86.3% 91.9%
Indianapolis Star
2 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana sees 'historic' increase in IREAD scores. See how schools did
Indiana saw its largest year over year increase of students reading proficiently by the end of third grade, but it's still unclear how many children will be retained under the new IREAD law. The IREAD results for the 2024-25 school year were released on Aug. 13 and showed that the statewide proficiency rate was at 87.3%, which is a nearly 5 percentage point increase from last year. However, this most recent class of third graders was also the class affected by the state's new retention law that will hold students back from moving onto the fourth grade if they don't pass the test or meet one of the exemptions. More on IREAD concerns: New Indiana IREAD law sparks parent concern as student retention set to rise State officials said the data on how many third graders will be retained this year will be released soon after the fall count day on Oct. 1. Indiana has two count days, one in the fall and one in the spring, which capture how many students are in a particular school on that day. Funding for schools is then based on the number of students enrolled on those count days. State education leaders are calling this jump in proficiency scores 'unprecedented' for Hoosier students. 'Indiana has made extraordinary progress from where we began just a few years ago, when nearly one in five Indiana third graders could not read, to today when literacy rates have increased by nearly 5 percentage points in just one year,' said Katie Jenner, Indiana's secretary of education, in a press release. "... with literacy rates now soaring at a historic pace. This is a time for celebration, and it is also a time to double-down on our commitment to helping even more students learn to read." The proficiency rates amount to around 73,500 Indiana third graders who passed the IREAD test, and also constitute the biggest single-year jump in reading scores ever seen in the state since the test was first given in 2013. This year's scores also mean that the state has caught back up to its pre-COVID levels of proficiency, which dropped off sharply in the years following the pandemic due to disrupted learning. This year's historic growth also marks the fifth straight year that statewide results have grown, which is a stark contrast to the seven years prior, which saw a slow decline of scores. The IREAD exam is now taken in both the second and third grades and is meant to measure foundational reading skills. The results announced on Aug. 12 represent students who passed the exam either in the second or third grade. Parents have told IndyStar that the new retention measure, which was passed in 2024, has caused them anxiety and confusion over why their student is being retained, and worry that holding them back will cause more harm than good. However, state leaders are zeroed in on reaching their goal of a 95% proficiency rate for IREAD results statewide and have enacted various laws over the past few years to get there. Jenner said that data around how many students were given good cause exemptions and met one of the other exceptions for being passed to the fourth grade would be released on the state's third-grade reading dashboard around Oct. 1. Under the law passed last year, if a student meets one of these exemptions, they can move on to fourth grade: Some English language learning students will also get an exemption from being retained, at least for the next two school years, due to the passage of HB 1499 earlier this year. State officials also said for the first time, all student groups that the state collects data on – like ethnicity, special needs, language learners and socioeconomic status – saw growth in reading scores. Black and Latino students both saw an increase of 7.5 percentage points from last year. Special education students also increased by 7.5 percentage points from last year and English language learners saw a 7.2 percentage point jump from last year. Students who qualify for free and reduced lunch saw a 6.6 percentage point increase from last year's scores. Jenner and other state leaders attribute this year's jump in scores to two main initiatives. The state's move to allow IREAD testing in second grade, which is now required statewide starting with the 2024-25 school year. Second graders could be tested in the spring and retake it in the summer if they did not pass. In total, students have five chances to pass IREAD throughout second and third grade. Being able to test earlier allows teachers to more effectively identify struggling readers and then provide targeted support when needed. The second tactic is the implementation of the Indiana Literacy Cadre, which provides teachers training on early literacy teaching and embeds instructional coaches into schools to help with reading specifically. Keep up with school news: Sign up for Study Hall, IndyStar's free weekly education newsletter. In this most recent school year, 564 schools were participating in the literacy cadre. Schools that participated in the literacy cadre saw a 7 percentage point increase in their scores from last year, compared to non-cadre schools that just increased 3.6 percentage points.
