Reps. Culp, Jordan praise IREAD scores increasing for fifth consecutive year
STATEHOUSE (Sept. 9, 2026) – State Reps. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) and Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) are celebrating Hoosier students' scores on the 2026 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination assessment rising for the fifth consecutive year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Culp 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.
"Indiana continues to invest in a quality education for young Hoosiers and our latest IREAD scores reflect it," Culp said. "Through targeted support and the dedication of Hoosier educators, we are seeing more students succeeding academically."
Jordan noted that literacy rates for every student population are now higher than before the pandemic.
"I'm thrilled to see our Hoosier students getting the support and gaining the skills they need to succeed," Jordan said. "This reading progress is proof that the hard work of our teachers, parents and students is paying off."
Local school corporation pass rates for the most recent IREAD exams include:
- Culver Community Schools Corp., 93%;
- Eastern Pulaski Community School Corp., 94%;
- North Judson-San Pierre School Corp., 88%; and
- West Central School Corp., 88%.
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.
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. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) represents House District 16,
which includes portions of Jasper, Pulaski, Starke and White counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) represents House District 17,
which includes all of Fulton County, and portions of Marshall and Pulaski counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
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