Indianapolis, IN – More than 73,500 Indiana third-grade students — or 87.3% — demonstrated proficient reading skills on the 2025 IREAD assessment, marking the state’s most significant single-year literacy improvement since the exam’s inception in 2013.
This year’s results reflect a nearly five percentage point increase over 2024, a surge education officials are calling unprecedented in the post-pandemic era.
According to the Indiana Department of Education, approximately 6,000 additional third graders achieved reading proficiency compared to the previous year. Literacy rates increased across all student groups, with over 450 elementary schools meeting the state’s 95% reading goal for the first time ever.
“We’re seeing statewide momentum,” the department said in a release, crediting a pair of key initiatives for the gains: earlier testing at second grade and expanded instructional coaching through the state’s Literacy Cadre.
Data show that 68% of second-grade students either passed or were on track to pass IREAD by third grade. Among students identified as at risk, more than 65% passed by third grade when flagged early through second-grade testing.
Schools participating in the Literacy Cadre — which offers embedded coaching and support — saw a 7 percentage point increase in pass rates, nearly double the growth of non-participating schools.
The department also shared side-by-side maps showing a statewide shift toward higher pass rates by school corporation between 2024 and 2025, with significant reductions in regions previously falling below 80%.
With four consecutive years of rising third grade literacy rates, Indiana officials say proficiency levels are now back to pre-pandemic standards, representing a key milestone in the state’s broader academic recovery.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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