Indiana Third Graders Make Historic Literacy Gains

Indiana is celebrating a major educational milestone with the release of the latest Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) assessment results, which show a historic jump in third grade literacy. The 2024-2025 school year brought the largest single-year increase since the test began in 2013, with more than 87 percent of third graders demonstrating proficiency in reading. This nearly five-point gain not only restores Indiana’s third grade literacy rate to pre-pandemic levels but also serves as a testament to the hard work of teachers, parents, administrators, and students across the state.

For leaders in St. Joseph County, the results are more than just statistics. They represent years of focus, reform, and collaboration aimed at helping children reach one of the most important benchmarks in their early education. Representative Dale DeVon of Granger expressed both pride and gratitude, calling the results an incredible achievement and noting that such progress could not have been made without the combined efforts of educators, families, and state leaders working together to put students on the path to long-term academic success.

Representative Jake Teshka of North Liberty, who serves on the House Education Committee, highlighted another important detail in this year’s data: the gains extended across all student populations. Improvements were not isolated to one district, one demographic group, or one area of the state, but instead reflected a statewide trend. He explained that it was especially encouraging to see the positive outcomes connected to legislative efforts he helped develop, measures designed to strengthen literacy programs and provide more structured support for teachers. He was quick to credit not only the laws passed in recent years but also the teachers, school staff, and parents who devoted their time and energy to ensuring children had the help they needed.

The numbers carry weight nationally as well. Just last year, Indiana placed sixth in the country for fourth and eighth grade reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, often called “the Nation’s Report Card.” Representative Tim Wesco of Osceola described the new IREAD results as a continuation of that upward momentum and said the turnaround was especially striking given the challenges schools faced only a few years ago. He emphasized that Indiana students are now better positioned to develop the skills they need to excel, not just in the classroom but in life beyond school.

Behind these numbers lies a story of strategic change in how the state approaches literacy instruction. In 2023, lawmakers passed a law that required schools to adopt the science of reading, an evidence-based framework that emphasizes the fundamental building blocks of literacy: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, fluency, oral language, and comprehension. The following year, additional measures were introduced to identify struggling readers earlier by screening students at risk of falling behind and providing interventions sooner rather than later. Together, these policies created consistency in how reading is taught and gave teachers the training and tools to implement proven methods.

While policy played a role, the results also reflect countless acts of dedication in homes and classrooms across Indiana. Parents who spent extra time reading with their children, teachers who adjusted lesson plans to align with new standards, school administrators who organized additional resources, and state leaders who ensured funding and training were available all contributed to the progress. Each group worked together to create an environment where young readers could thrive.

Third grade literacy is widely recognized as a critical milestone because it marks the transition from learning to read to reading to learn. By the time students reach fourth grade, their coursework assumes a level of reading fluency that allows them to absorb and analyze information across all subjects. Children who struggle with reading at this stage often face significant challenges in keeping pace academically, making Indiana’s improvements especially meaningful.

Although there is reason to celebrate, leaders agree that the work is not finished. The ultimate goal is for every child in Indiana to achieve proficiency, and while more than 87 percent is an impressive number, it still leaves some students in need of additional support. The state’s focus will remain on expanding intervention programs, continuing to strengthen teacher training, and engaging families to ensure that literacy gains are not only sustained but further improved in the years ahead.

As the state reflects on this achievement, the message is clear: progress in education is possible when everyone comes together. Indiana has shown that by adopting evidence-based strategies, supporting teachers, and engaging families, schools can overcome setbacks and restore confidence in the ability of students to succeed. The latest IREAD results are available through the Indiana Department of Education, offering families and educators the opportunity to see firsthand how their schools are performing and to continue building on the momentum of this historic year.