Reps. Karickhoff, VanNatter praise IREAD scores increasing for fifth consecutive year

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 18, 2026) – State Reps. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) 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.

VanNatter 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.

"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."

Karickhoff noted that literacy rates for every student population are now higher than before the pandemic.

"We should be proud of the progress Indiana students are making, particularly after the disruptions our schools experienced in recent years," Karickhoff said. "The fact that scores have now moved beyond pre-pandemic levels shows just how far our students and educators have come."

Local school corporation pass rates for the most recent IREAD exams include:

• Eastern Howard School Corp., 92%;
• Kokomo School Corp., 78%;
• Northwestern School Corp., 99%;
• Taylor Community School Corp., 77%; and
• Western School Corp., 94%.

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.

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.