STATEHOUSE (Aug. 21, 2026) – State Reps. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) and Tim Yocum (R-Clinton) are celebrating Hoosier students' scores on the 2026 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination assessment rising for the fifth consecutive year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Heaton 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. Heaton also noted that literacy rates for every student population are now higher than before the pandemic. Clay Community Schools scored a 97% pass rate for the most recent IREAD exam.
"Strong readers become strong students, and strong students become strong workers and leaders in their local communities," Heaton said. "With our literacy rates rising above pre-pandemic scores, Indiana is helping more young Hoosiers build the skills they will rely on for the rest of their lives."
The General Assembly passed a law in 2023 establishing science of reading standards and 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.
Yocum 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.
"These results are a testament to our teachers, who have stayed focused on giving Hoosier students the foundation they need to become successful," Yocum said. "Five consecutive years of literacy gains don't happen by accident; they happen because educators are working hard every day and making an impact in our classrooms."
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. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) represents House District 46,
which includes all of Owen County, and portions of Clay, Monroe and Vigo counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Tim Yocum (R-Clinton) represents House District 42, which includes
all of Parke and Vermillion counties, and portions of Clay, Fountain and Vigo counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
