First IREAD-3 results released

Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett today announced the results of the first administration of Indiana’s third grade reading assessment, called the Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination for grade 3 (IREAD-3). Statewide, 84 percent of students assessed during the March 19-21 testing window demonstrated foundational third grade reading skills.

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“Our goal is to make sure all students in Indiana gain the reading skills they need to be successful in school and life,” Bennett said. “We know students who do not have these skills by the end of grade 3 rarely catch up to their peers. The IREAD-3 assessment helps educators and parents ensure all children receive the support they need before moving forward with more challenging reading instruction.”

The IREAD-3 assessment is part of a series of exams created to support early reading instruction in grades K-3. These tests were developed as part of the implementation of legislation (P.L. 109) passed in the 2010 legislative session that puts a strong focus on early reading development by requiring third graders to demonstrate grade level reading proficiency before moving on to grade 4 reading instruction. This law also requires elementary schools to submit reading plans to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) to outline comprehensive plans for reading instruction and assessment for all students.

Further, schools are required to implement scientifically-based reading instruction—unless 90 percent of a school’s third graders pass the IREAD-3 assessment in the initial March testing window. Around the state, 36 percent of school corporations (103 total) met or exceeded the 90 percent benchmark. Thirty-three percent of schools (347 schools) hit the 90 percent goal, with 21 schools achieving a 100 percent pass rate.

Students who did not pass IREAD-3 during the March testing window will have another chance to do so this summer (June 13 through July 28). IDOE shared student-level scores with schools in early April so they could begin intensive remediation for those students who did not pass. Students who do not pass IREAD-3 (in two administrations) this year will take the third grade ISTEP+ and IREAD-3 next year—to ensure they are adequately prepared for fourth grade reading instruction.

“I am proud that so many of our students demonstrated proficiency in reading this first year of IREAD-3, but I’m more hopeful about what these test results will do to help those students who did not pass,” Bennett said.

“For the first time ever, we have policies in place that allow us to identify those students who cannot read proficiently and that require us to do something about it. Instead of passing these kids along to the next level before they’re ready, we are making sure we target instruction to meet every kid’s unique learning needs so all our students learn to read.”

Five schools were honored for exemplary performance in Indianapolis in Tuesday, including Washington Elementary School of Fort Wayne Community School Corporation - Ninety percent of Washington’s third graders passed the IREAD-3 assessment in March. The school has an English Language Learner population of 10 percent and a Free or Reduced Lunch population of 93 percent.

The Indiana Department of Education provided information for this story.