STATEHOUSE (April 16, 2026) – Local schools in Northeast Indiana were recently recognized for achieving high literacy rates by the Indiana Department of Education, according to State Reps. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) and Tony Isa (R-Angola).
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.
"These literacy achievements reflect the hard work happening in classrooms in our community and across the state," Smaltz said. "Hoosiers can be proud of the progress we're making to ensure that every child has the reading skills needed to succeed. Indiana now ranks sixth in the nation in fourth- and eighth-grade reading, up from 19th and 17th. Math scores also improved, with fourth grade ranking ninth, up from 11th, and eighth grade 13th. These results show Hoosier students are moving in the right direction."
Area schools recognized include:
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.
"Hoosier students are making meaningful strides in literacy, and it's great to see schools from House District 51 contributing to that success," Isa said. "Their achievements highlight the importance of a strong shared commitment to student growth."
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. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) represents House District 52,
which includes all of DeKalb County, and portions of Noble and Steuben counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Tony Isa (R-Angola) represents House District 51,
which includes all of LaGrange County and a portion of Steuben County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
