The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Thursday released certified results from the spring and summer 2021 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD-3) assessment, which measures the development of foundational reading skills by third grade.
“Through significant research, we know how important it is that children learn to read by third grade, and we take that mission very seriously in Indiana,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “Literacy is vital to ensure Indiana’s students are prepared to explore and experience a variety of pathways, and that’s why we’re working to empower Indiana’s schools and educators with research-based, proven strategies to support our students as they learn to read.”
IREAD-3 results show that nearly one in every five Hoosier third grade students (18.8 percent) did not achieve reading proficiency on IREAD-3. Beyond just proficiency rates, an analysis across student populations shows a significant literacy gap widening among Indiana’s racially and ethnically diverse, low-income, special education and English learner students.
Locally the Argos Community Schools tested 49 and found 16 third graders proficient. There were 21 below proficiency, 12 approaching proficiency: 13 at proficiency and 3 above proficiency.
Bremen Public School tested 113 and found 50 proficient. There were 42 below proficiency, 21 approaching proficiency, 25 at proficiency and 25 above proficiency.
Culver Community School Corporation tested 44 third graders and found 15 proficient. There were 14 students below proficiency, 15 approaching proficiency, 9 at proficiency and 6 above proficiency.
Plymouth Community Schools tested 247 third graders and had 79 with total proficiency. 104 students were below proficiency, 64 were approaching proficiency, 62 were at proficiency, and 17 were above proficiency.
Triton School Corporation tested 66 students and had 29 who were proficient. They had 23 below proficiency, 14 approaching proficiency, 22 at proficiency and 7 above proficiency.
Union North United School Corporation tested 77 students and had 23 proficient. There were 33 below proficiency, 17 approaching proficiency, 17 at proficiency and 6 above proficiency.
Following academic disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, intentional effort is required to ensure students receive foundational reading skills for long-term success. To provide additional support for Indiana schools as they teach students to read, IDOE is working to support schools in implementing evidence-based literacy practices based on the Science of Reading. The Science of Reading is a compilation of scientific research on reading, reading development and reading instruction.
To support schools as they implement evidence-based reading instruction, IDOE will partner with participating schools to train literacy coaches to help local educators implement Science of Reading-based instruction in their classrooms. Local schools can opt-in to the initiative, with a focus on schools where IREAD-3 and ILEARN results show that students need the greatest support as they learn to read.
IDOE plans to begin training coaches and school faculty on the Science of Reading by summer 2022.
