Northeast Indiana legislators praise IREAD scores increasing for fifth consecutive year
STATEHOUSE (Sept. 15, 2026) – Northeast Indiana lawmakers are celebrating Hoosier students' scores on the 2026 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination assessment rising for the fifth consecutive year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
State Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) 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.
"Another year of continued improvement in IREAD scores shows our commitment to strengthening literacy is making a difference for students across the state," Smaltz said. "Reading is the foundation for success in every classroom, and we must continue giving teachers, parents and schools the tools they need to ensure every Hoosier student develops the skills to thrive."
State Rep. David Abbott (R-Rome City) noted that literacy rates for every student population are now higher than before the pandemic.
"For the last several years, Indiana has prioritized getting young Hoosiers back on track with reading," Abbott said. "These latest scores reflect this investment and effort are helping more students improve in this fundamental skill."
Local school corporation pass rates for the most recent IREAD exams include:
- Central Noble Community School Corp., 87%;
- DeKalb County Central United School District, 93%;
- DeKalb County Eastern Community School District, 86%;
- East Noble School Corp., 83%;
- Fremont Community Schools, 94%;
- Garrett-Keyser-Butler Community School Corp., 88%;
- Hamilton Community Schools, 91%;
- Lakeland School Corp., 83%;
- Lakewood Park Christian School, 95%;
- MSD Steuben County, 86%;
- Prairie Heights Community School Corp., 95%;
- Smith-Green Community Schools, 99%;
- West Noble School Corp., 91%; and
- Westview School Corp., 99%.
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.
“It’s great to see students across Northeast Indiana continue making progress in reading," Isa said. “These scores reflect the hard work of our students and teachers, while reinforcing why we must continue making literacy a priority.”
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.
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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. David Abbott (R-Rome City) represents House District 18,
which includes portions of Elkhart, Kosciusko, Noble and Whitley counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
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