District outlines iRead 3 implications, literacy partnerships and summer-school changes

District officials explained iRead 3 (Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination) and how Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1) affects third‑grade retention and supports. The district reported a district average passing rate of 83.8% — up 1.1 percentage points from the prior year and above the state average cited as 82.5% — and said Union Elementary reached a 100% passing rate.

Officials described the state’s goal of a 95% average by 2027 and outlined supports the district has put in place: a two‑year partnership with a literacy cadre (Marian University and IDOE) funded in part by the Lilly Endowment, professional development in Orton‑Gillingham, Title I programming improvements and participation in the iLearn Checkpoints pilot to benchmark third‑grade standards. District staff noted that SEA 1 requires letters to families and that kindergarten families will receive a state-required letter before Oct. 1 outlining expectations and supports.

District staff also explained changes to summer-school funding that concentrate dollars on second and third graders; students who do not pass iRead 3 and students at risk after second grade will be invited to summer school. Staff noted parents may decline summer-school participation and that individualized reading plans will be created for nonparticipants.

Board members asked clarifying questions about how second-grade pass rates are counted and about communication timelines; staff offered to provide second-grade results on request.