STATEHOUSE (Aug. 27, 2025) – Lake 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. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) 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.
"Helping students who fell behind on learning to read has been a priority for Indiana," Aylesworth said. "It is amazing to see how far we have come in just a few years and I'm grateful to our teachers and families working directly with our students."
State Rep. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) noted that literacy rates for all student populations also improved.
"These results are incredibly positive, and show our children are getting back on track," Olthoff said. "Reading is a fundamental skill and we are dedicated to giving students and educators the resources they need to succeed."
State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) 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.
"Literacy is essential in everything we do and it’s important we ensure our students are equipped with a good learning foundation," Slager said. "These efforts have dramatically improved reading scores and strengthened how reading is taught statewide thanks to the great work of our educators."
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.
-30-
State Rep. Michael Aylesworth (R-Hebron) represents House District 11,
which includes portions of Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) represents House District 19,
which includes portions of Lake and Porter counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) represents House District 15,
which includes a portion of Lake County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
