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First students learn to read, then they read
to learn. Yet, for over a decade in Indiana,
literacy rates have been dropping. In fact,
our most recent data show that nearly one in
five children leaving third grade is not able to
read. This is a crisis that could have a long- term negative impact on Indiana’s economy
and negative repercussions throughout our
society.
Together, we are working to ensure 95% of
Indiana students pass IREAD-3 by 2027. And
this means ensuring both current and future
educators receive the highest quality training,
rooted in evidence-based literacy instruction.
With a historic investment of $170 million,
Indiana is leaning into science of reading to
positively move the needle for students.
Science of Reading-focused
Literacy Initiatives
Why is third grade
literacy so important?
Up until the end of third grade,
students are still learning to read.
Once they advance to fourth
grade, these skills are necessary to
achieve all future learning.
Students who can read by the end
of third grade are 35% more likely
to graduate from high school.
Science of reading is a body of
scientifically-based research that
integrates instructional practices
with efforts focused around phonics,
phonemic awareness, fluency,
vocabulary, and comprehension. In
addition to research about reading and
reading development, science of reading
includes numerous scientific studies
about effective reading instruction and
intervention, including what to teach and
how to teach it.
What is science of
reading?
Under the leadership of Governor Holcomb,
Indiana partnered with Lilly Endowment Inc.
to invest up to $111 million, doubling down on
research-based instructional practices aligned with
science of reading. Additionally, during the most
recent legislative session, the Indiana General
Assembly provided IDOE with up to $60 million to
further our literacy efforts over the next two years,
bringing our combined total investment to $170
million. Today, while we have significant interest
from a wide variety of stakeholders, we must seize
this opportunity to improve reading outcomes for
Indiana students.
Why now?
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• Join the Indiana Literacy Cadre where educators at
participating schools can receive free instructional coaching
in science of reading.
• Administer IREAD-3 at Grade 2 to gain access to an early
On Track indicator to determine if students will master
foundational reading skills by the end of grade three.
• COMING SOON: Complete IDOE’s science of reading
modules, developed in partnership with Marian University,
through the Indiana Learning Lab. The following teachers
can earn a $1,200 stipend by completing the modules:
• PreK-3 educators
• English language educators
• Special education educators
• COMING SOON: Pursue the science of reading-focused
literacy endorsement at no cost!
• Take advantage of the Lilly Endowment grant
opportunity to redesign your programming aligned to
science of reading.
• Incorporate curriculum and content aligned to science
of reading (required by July 1, 2024, to maintain state
accreditation).
• Prepare future educators to receive a literacy
endorsement, including those teaching early childhood,
elementary generalist, and special education.
• Indiana educators first licensed after June 30, 2025,
in early childhood, elementary generalist, and special
education will be required to acquire the new literacy
endorsement. Implementation details for teachers
subject to the mandatory literacy endorsement will be
included in State Board of Education rules.
• Educators who acquire the literacy endorsement will
receive a pay differentiation.
CURRENT EDUCATORS
FUTURE EDUCATORS AND
EDUCATOR PREPARATION
PROGRAMS
This historic $170 million investment will empower both current and future educators with the knowledge and tools they need to
ensure our students learn to read, and this work is already underway. Here’s how you can be a part of this work:
IDOE’s Literacy Development Webpage
Literacy Resources in the Learning Lab
• COMING SOON: Receive targeted support through a
Literacy Support Plan, specifically designed for Indiana
schools falling below 70% IREAD-3 passage.
• COMING SOON: Earn incentives for improving IREAD-3
scores through IDOE’s Literacy Acheivement Grants.
• COMING SOON: Apply for IDOE’s Science of Reading
Grant to support science of reading implementation
through instructional coaching, curriculum, and professional
development.
• COMING SOON: Stay tuned for new science of reading
guidelines for educator preparation programs, including
both traditional and alternative programs.