STATEHOUSE (Sept. 3, 2025) – Henry County lawmakers are commending a historic increase in third grade literacy rates for Hoosier students following results from the 2024-2025 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) assessment.
State Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) said third grade reading scores improved by nearly five percentage points, which is the largest single-year increase since Indiana launched IREAD in 2013. More than 87% of Hoosier third graders demonstrated proficiency in reading, putting Indiana's literacy rate at this grade level back to pre-pandemic levels.
The lawmakers thanked Indiana's education leaders, schools, teachers and families for their dedication to help Indiana students achieve these results.
"When children have strong literacy skills, they're more likely to excel in every other subject," Barrett said. "Helping more students read at grade level changes the course of their education. This progress is a win for students, families and teachers."
State Rep. Cory Criswell (R-Middletown) noted that literacy rates for all student populations also improved.
"The commitment from educators and parents across Indiana to improve this fundamental skill is clearly paying off," Criswell said. "I will work to keep supporting Hoosier children on their learning journey to ensure this progress continues."
State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) said these IREAD results follow Indiana placing sixth in the country for fourth and eighth grade reading in the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) rankings.
"Reading proficiency is a strong predictor of student success and when literacy levels rise, so do opportunities," Prescott said. "I’m encouraged by these scores and will keep working to ensure every child has the tools to thrive in and out of the classroom."
To improve Indiana's literacy rates, the General Assembly passed a law in 2023 implementing science of reading standards, which is evidence-based instruction that increases students' reading competency through phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, fluency, oral language skills and comprehension. A law passed in 2024 added screenings for students at risk of falling behind on reading proficiency and providing earlier intervention.
Results from the 2025 IREAD for individual schools and corporations are available on the Indiana Department of Education's website. Click here to learn more about the state's literacy standards.
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State Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) represents House District 56,
which includes Wayne County and portions of Henry County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Cory Criswell (R-Middletown) represents House District 54,
which includes portions of Hancock, Henry, Rush and Shelby counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) represents House District 33,
which includes all of Blackford and Randolph counties,
and portions of Delaware, Henry and Jay counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
