84 percent of Indiana third graders pass new reading test - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The results from Indiana's reading test for third graders are in, and the state says 84 percent of students passed. But the results also mean that over 11,000 Indiana third graders could be held back because they failed.

The good news is that more than eight out of ten students passed. As for the 16 percent who didn't, they'll get help and repeat the test next month. But if they fail twice, the Department of Education wants them to repeat the third grade.

See results listed by school.

The overwhelming majority, 84 percent, of the state's third graders passed the new state-mandated reading exam. It's great news, according to Indiana's superintendent of public instruction.

"Our children can read; they have literacy; we can get them to where they need to be in school and other areas of their life," said Dr. Tony Bennett.

Schools are already providing additional help to more than 11,000 third graders who failed the exam.

Eyewitness News reported last month that one in four Marion County third graders (2,500 children) failed the exam. Those students - along with students in other districts who didn't pass - will get another chance to take the test this summer. If they fail a second time in June, the DOE wants them held back.

"I would want to for anyone else's child as I would expect of my own. I would certainly hope principals and teachers would say to parents, 'Your child should be retained,'" said Bennett.

Research shows children not reading adequately by the third grade aren't likely to catch up. They struggle through middle and high school and afterwards.

The literacy dilemma extends well beyond classrooms. Studies find that one in five central Indiana adults can't read at a sixth grade level.

Companies complain of having trouble filling even entry level jobs because many applicants can't read well enough.

"Employers will tell you they have difficulty getting people to pass their employment test," said Kristin Deckard, Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

For years, Indiana's Chamber of Commerce has struggled with companies to improve the workforce.

"It is not typical to have employers providing reading and math instruction," Deckard said, who added that some Indiana employers are doing that now.

Indiana's new emphasis on third graders learning to read is as much about success in school as success in life.

See results listed by school.

More:

Unless 90 percent of a school's third graders pass the iREAD assessment, schools will be required to implement what the Indiana Department of Education calles "scientifically-based reading instruction." In the entire state, 36 percent of school corporations (103) met or exceeded the 90-percent mark. Thirty-three percent (347) hit the 90-percent goal and 21 schools had a 100-percent pass rate.

Standouts:

Padua Academy Charter School in Indianapolis – With an English Language Learner (ELL) student population of 95.7 percent and 95.7 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch (F/RL), Padua Academy saw 93.1 percent of its third graders pass the IREAD-3.

Ernie Pyle Elementary School of Indianapolis Public Schools – Ninety-five percent of Ernie Pyle's third graders passed the IREAD-3 assessment in March. The school has an ELL population of 25.1 percent and a F/RL population of 97.4 percent.

Lincoln Elementary of LaPorte Community School Corporation - Ninety-three percent of Lincoln's third graders passed the IREAD-3 assessment in March. The school has an ELL population of 16.7 percent and a F/RL population of 90.5 percent.

Washington Elementary School of Fort Wayne Community School Corporation - Ninety percent of Washington's third graders passed the IREAD-3 assessment in March. The school has an ELL population of 10 percent and a F/RL population of 93 percent.

Child's Elementary of Monroe County Community School Corporation – One hundred percent of the third graders at Child's Elementary School passed the IREAD-3 assessment in March—84 students total.