STATEHOUSE (Aug. 14, 2026) – State Reps. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) and Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) are celebrating Hoosier students' scores on the 2026 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination assessment rising for the fifth consecutive year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Manning 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.
"These numbers tell an encouraging story about Indiana's youngest learners," Manning said. "More students are demonstrating the reading proficiency they need, and that progress gives us a strong foundation to build on in the years ahead."
VanNatter noted that literacy rates for every student population are now higher than before the pandemic.
"Strong literacy outcomes don't happen overnight," VanNatter said. "They come from consistent instruction, engaged families and educators who are committed to meeting students where they are and helping them move forward."
Local school corporation pass rates for the most recent IREAD exams include 89% for Lewis Cass Schools, 82% for Logansport Community School Corp. and 98% for Pioneer Regional School Corp.
A law passed in 2023 established science of reading standards and delivered 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.
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%).
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. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) represents House District 23,
which includes portions of Cass and Miami counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) represents House District 38,
which includes all of Carroll and Tipton counties, and
portions of Cass, Clinton, Howard and Tippecanoe counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
