STATEHOUSE (Sept. 1, 2026) – State Rep. Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) is celebrating Hoosier students' scores on the 2026 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination assessment rising for the fifth consecutive year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Jordan said more than 88% of Hoosier third graders passed IREAD, a nearly 1.5 percentage point increase from last year. It's the second-largest single-year increase since the test was implemented.
"I'm thrilled to see our Hoosier students getting the support and gaining the skills they need to succeed," Jordan said. "This reading progress is proof that the hard work of our teachers, parents and students is paying off."
Jordan noted that literacy rates for every student population are now higher than before the pandemic.
Local school corporation pass rates for the most recent IREAD exams include:
In 2023, the General Assembly passed a law establishing science of reading standards delivering focused support to Indiana students facing the most significant reading difficulties. Additional legislation bolstered the Indiana Department of Education’s literacy cadre program to ensure schools with fewer than 70% of students passing IREAD receive additional resources and support.
Jordan said in the current state budget, Indiana increased K-12 tuition support by $640 million, a 5% increase over the biennium, to its highest level yet. Nearly half of our state budget goes toward K-12 education (47%). Indiana also expanded its school choice scholarship program, empowering all Hoosier families to choose the school environment that is best for their students.
Results from the 2026 IREAD for individual schools and corporations are available on IDOE's website. Click here to learn more about the state's literacy standards.
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State Rep. Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) represents House District 17,
which includes all of Fulton County, and portions of Marshall and Pulaski counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
