Rep. Sweet praises IREAD scores increasing for fifth consecutive year
STATEHOUSE (Aug. 28, 2026) – State Rep. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash) is celebrating Hoosier students' scores on the 2026 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination assessment rising for the fifth consecutive year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Sweet 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.
"The upward trend in IREAD scores shows the tremendous amount of dedication from teachers, parents and students," Sweet said. "This is an encouraging sign of progress in the classroom, and I look forward to seeing our schools build on this positive momentum."
Sweet noted that literacy rates for every student population are now higher than before the pandemic.
Local school corporation pass rates for the most recent IREAD exams include 87% for Huntington County Community School Corp.
A law 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.
Sweet said 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. Lorissa Sweet (R-Wabash) represents House District 50,
which includes all of Huntington County, and portions of Miami, Wabash and Wells counties.
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