District reports record iRead results; no third‑grade retentions this year

District staff reported to the board Sept. 16 that every elementary school posted record iRead results and the district’s overall third‑grade iRead proficiency rose to 90.3 percent for 2025; staff also reported zero third‑grade retentions this year.

“Students that pass iRead 3 are 35 percent more likely to graduate from high school,” Mr. Winslow told the board, citing Indiana Department of Education research as context for the district’s emphasis on early literacy. Mr. Winslow said the district’s second‑grade on‑track percentages have grown since the district opted in to second‑grade iRead testing in 2022 and noted that 97 percent of the district’s second graders who were on track went on to pass in third grade.

Individual school gains cited by staff included Pleasant Lake Montessori at 94.4 percent (a 13.1 percentage‑point increase), Ryan Park at 92.3 percent (10.9 point increase), Hendry Park up 5.2 points to 88.3 percent, and Harlan Park up 2.9 points. Across the district staff said third‑grade proficiency grew 7.3 percentage points year over year and the district is now three percentage points above the state average.

Staff described legislative changes tied to iRead that affect district practice: students who do not pass third‑grade iRead and who do not qualify for a “good cause” exemption are required by state law to be retained in third grade; good cause exemptions discussed in the presentation include students with individualized education programs (IEPs), multilingual learners in an EL program for fewer than two years, students previously retained, or students who passed the math iLearn assessment. Staff also said the district now must create individualized reading plans for any student at risk in grade two or who fails iRead in grade three.

To support students, staff detailed a set of interventions used last year and planned again this year: parent information nights, after‑school tutoring in small groups or one‑on‑one, pre‑test readiness sessions with transportation provided, small‑group instruction during the school day, summer school offerings, monthly virtual meetings with recordings for families and additional teacher training tied to the “science of reading.” Staff said some veteran teachers must complete 80 hours of additional training and pass an early‑literacy Praxis requirement; the presenter said many teachers met the requirement through previous preparation programs and that the state provided compensation for last year’s work.

Mr. Winslow said the district’s immediate goal is 93 percent next year to stay on track for the state goal of 95 percent by 2027. Board members had no procedure votes tied to the report; the presentation was informational.

Discussion only: staff presented results, legislative requirements and local interventions. Direction/next steps: continue trainings, parent resources and targeted interventions, and monitor progress toward the 2027 statewide goal.