Indiana third grade IREAD scores showed the largest-ever single year increase since the literacy exam began in 2013, state officials said Wednesday.
The state Department of Education released the results during the State Board of Education meeting in Indianapolis.
More than 67,000 third graders, or 82.5%, showed proficient reading skills, an improvement of 0.6% over last year’s results. Last year, about 65,000 showed proficiency.
The state’s third grade literacy rates have been dropping for a decade, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fallout became steeper though after the 2020-21 school year.
Last year’s scores raised concerns with Secretary of Education Katie Jenner who said one in five students was unable to read by the end of third grade.
Lawmakers jumped into action passing laws calling for pre-K to grade 6 and special education teachers to be trained in the science of reading to renew their state license and making the science of reading curriculum required in all schools.
Lawmakers also required students to repeat third grade, beginning next year, if they fail the IREAD, after three tries.
In Lake County, eight of 16 districts scored above the state average led by Munster with 93.8% passing.
In Porter County, six of seven districts beat the state average with Porter Township third graders posting a 94.6% pass rate.
Two charter schools — East Chicago Urban Enterprise at 85.4% and Discovery Charter at 86.1% — topped the state average.
In Lake County, third graders at Wadsworth in Griffith and at MacArthur in Crown Point posted 100% passing rates. In the Diocese of Gary, five schools had 100% pass rates — St. Michael, St. John the Evangelist, St. Mary (Griffith), St. Mary (Crown Point), and St. Patrick.
Six Lake County school districts improved their score from last year. In Porter County, only Duneland posted an increase over last year.
Lake Ridge posted the biggest increase, up from 52.8% last year to 62.7% passing this year.
Officials said scores for Black students, and special education students and students receiving free/reduced price meals have increased for three consecutive years.
Black students posted a 3.2% increase from 2023 to 2024. Special education students had a 2.2% increase and students with reduced meals had a 1.8% increase.
This year, a state law requires second graders to take the IREAD to assist educators in targeting their weaknesses. Last year, more than 1,000 elementary schools volunteered to give second graders the IREAD and 59% passed or were on track to pass at the end of third grade, according to a release.
The state also launched a partnership with the University of Indianapolis Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning and Marian University’s Center for Vibrant Schools.
The partnerships provided elementary teachers with coaching and support aligned with science of reading, an evidence-based curriculum that focuses on phonics, vocabulary and comprehension to teach reading.
Participating schools improved pass rates by 2.5 points, officials said.
In 2022, the state partnered with Lilly Endowment Inc. to invest $111 million in early literacy development. It was expanded to $170 in 2023.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Third grade 2024 IREAD district pass rates*
State average 82.5%
Lake County
Hanover Central 90.5%
River Forest 79.7%
Merrillville 79.5%
Lake Central 91.8%
Tri-Creek 92.2%
Lake Ridge 62.7%
Crown Point 92.4%
East Chicago 56.2%
Lake Station 80.3%
Gary 49.2%
Griffith 88.6%
Hammond 63.1%
Highland 85.2%
Hobart 82%
Munster 93.8%
Whiting 86.4%
Porter County
Boone Township 89.9%
Duneland 93.1%
East Porter 87.8%
Porter Twp. 94.6%
Union Twp. 94.3%
Portage Twp. 78.1%
Valparaiso 94.4%
Charter schools
Charter School of Dunes 48.6%
Thea Bowman 89.1%
Gary Lighthouse 47.1%
21st Century 60.8%
East Chicago Urban Enterprise 79.1%
East Chicago Lighthouse 43.4%
Aspire 76.7%
Discovery Charter 86.3%
Steel City Charter 65%
HIAT (Higher Institute) 47.4%
Private
Diocese of Gary 95.4%
*Indiana Department of Education
