Indiana schools could know by the end of the week how their 3rd grade students fared on the iREAD (Indiana Reading Evaluation And Determination) assessment. The latest testing window was March 16-18, 2015.
According to a press release from the IDOE (Indiana Department of Education) on May 6, the passage rate for the spring administration statewide was 84.22 percent. The official passage rate will be finalized after the summer re-test period. The passage rate was slightly below the average in 2014 at 85.58 percent. Students who did not pass or students who were absent the day of the testing can be re-tested in the summer.
Beginning in the spring of 2012, schools were required to evaluate the reading skills after the House Enrolled Act 1367 (known as Public Law 109 in 2010). According to the IDOE , research show that prior to third grade, students are primarily “learning to read”. However, by 4th grade, they must be able to “read to learn”.
There are good cause exemptions for students who have previously been retained two times prior to a promotion grade 4, students with disabilities whose case conference committee has determined that promotion is appropriate, or English Learners (Els) whose Individual Learning Plan committee has determined that promotion is appropriate.
Schools are required to provide reading interventions for students who do not have a passing score on the iREAD test.
Carol Anders Correspondent
