Rep. Patterson: Local school recognized for literacy achievements

Posted by: Amanda Schreiber  | Tuesday, April 14, 2026

STATEHOUSE (April 14, 2026) – Mount Carmel School was recently recognized for achieving high literacy rates by the Indiana Department of Education, according to State Rep. Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville).

IDOE recognized more than 400 schools across the state achieving a 95% or higher passage rate on the 2025 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) assessment at the Literacy Achievement Celebration at the Statehouse on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

"Achieving this level of literacy success requires a strong commitment to educating and learning," Patterson said. "These results prove what is possible when schools maintain high expectations and stay committed to student growth."

In 2023, Patterson supported House Enrolled Act 1558 to implement science of reading standards and provide targeted support for Indiana students experiencing the greatest reading challenges.

Last year, Indiana's third grade reading scores improved by nearly five percentage points, which is the largest single-year increase since the state 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.

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.

Results from the 2025 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. Lindsay Patterson (R-Brookville) represents House District 55, which includes 
all of Fayette, Franklin and Union counties, and portions of Decatur, Ripley and Rush counties.
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here to download a high-resolution photo.