Indiana's third graders are hitting the books harder than before, and it's showing. Results from the 2024-2025 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) assessment released by State Rep. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) indicate a nearly five percentage point increase in third grade literacy rates – the highest single-year leap since the test's inception in 2013. Now, over 87% of Hoosier third graders are demonstrating proficiency in reading, a rebound to the pre-pandemic standards. In a statement obtained by the Indiana House Republicans, Lehman attributes this success to a collective effort.
"This improvement in literacy rates shows what's possible when educators, families, and students all work together towards a common goal," Lehman said. These promising figures also follow Indiana's high ranking in the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) for both fourth and eighth grade reading levels. The state stood tall, placing sixth in the country. The lawmaker was keen to recognize the hard work of Indiana's education leaders, schools, teachers, and families for their unwavering commitment to turn to greatly improve student outcomes.
The General Assembly's proactive stance on education, particularly through laws passed in 2023 and 2024 aimed at enhancing literacy rates, seems to be bearing fruit. The 2023 legislation implemented science of reading standards, an evidence-based instructional approach focusing on aspects such as phonemic awareness, phonics, and vocabulary development. A subsequent law in 2024 took forward to ensuring that students at risk of falling behind in reading proficiency were identified sooner and given the necessary interventions.
Lehman, expressing satisfaction with these developments, told Indiana House Republicans, "These results are proof that our investments are paying off, and most importantly that more Hoosier students are gaining the strong foundation they need to succeed in school and in life." Detailed results from the 2025 IREAD assessment are now accessible on the Indiana Department of Education's website for those interested in looking at the performance of individual schools and corporations.
