As lawmakers propose new approaches to literacy, the Indiana Department of Education is sharing new data on literacy rates and where gaps exist in schools across the state.
The information is being shared through an online portal that provides data on how students have performed on the state’s standardized third grade reading exam, known as IREAD-3, including how many third grade students have been promoted to the fourth grade without mastering foundational reading skills.
The database, made available publicly on Tuesday, Jan. 9, shows a slight improvement of less than one percentage point in reading skills last school year compared to the 2021-22 year. The database, however, also shows that the number of students who can’t read by the end of third grade has more than doubled since 2012 and that 96% of students who did not pass the state’s third grade reading exam in 2023 were promoted to fourth grade.
The data is presented as a geographic heat map, drawing attention to parts of the state where students perform well or poorly on reading standards. The database is also searchable by year, district and school. State officials say the map can be used to better understand where to invest literacy resources.
The publication of the new data portal comes as state lawmakers turn their attention to third grade literacy rates at the start of the 2024 legislative session. Gov. Eric Holcomb has stated policy goals seeking to expand earlier access to literacy testing in schools and tighten up the state’s student retention policy.
The state’s new literacy portal can be viewed by clicking here.
Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
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