Submitted by HSE Schools
Hamilton Southeastern Schools is celebrating a record achievement in early literacy, with 96 percent of third-grade students passing the 2025 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) assessment. This marks a two-point increase over last year and the highest district passing rate in five years.
Ten of the district’s 13 elementary schools met or exceeded Indiana’s ambitious 95 percent literacy goal, doubling the number that reached the milestone the previous year. In total, 1,497 HSE third graders demonstrated proficient reading skills, underscoring the district’s continued commitment to ensuring every student leaves third grade ready to thrive.
The gains were seen across all student groups. English Language Learners achieved their highest passing score in four years. Exceptional Learners improved by 14 percentage points compared to last year, and students qualifying for free and reduced-price meals reached their highest passing rate in four years.
Mapes
“Congratulations to our students and to the outstanding teachers who made this achievement possible,” Superintendent Pat Mapes said. “Their commitment to student-focused education and the science of reading continues to unlock a lifetime of learning for every child in our district. It also reflects the consistent effort of our teachers to provide the world-class instruction our families have come to expect in HSE schools.”
This IREAD achievement is the result of targeted literacy strategies and expanded professional development for teachers through the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) and participation in the Indiana Literacy Cadre. Many teachers are also working toward their Early Literacy Endorsement.
The IREAD results follow the district’s recently announced 2025 ILEARN scores, which showed growth in reading comprehension, writing, and communication skills across grades 3 through 8. Together, these outcomes affirm HSE’s strategic focus on literacy as the foundation for lifelong learning.
“We are not just meeting a state goal; we are raising the bar for what is possible through the collaboration of teachers, leaders, families, and students,” Mapes said. “This is just the beginning of what we can accomplish.”
House Speaker Todd Huston commends historic reading gains for Hoosier students
Submitted
Editor’s note: Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) issued the following statement in response to the unprecedented increase in Indiana’s third grade literacy rates on the 2024-2025 IREAD assessment, which shows an 87.3 percent reading proficiency rate – a nearly 5 percent jump and the largest single-year increase since the assessment began in 2013.
Huston
“I’m thrilled to see our students making strong, consistent progress in reading,” Huston said. “This significant increase helps ensure Indiana’s kids are on track for success and is exactly what we hoped to see following targeted policies and support to prioritize literacy in the classroom. Secretary Jenner and her team are providing tremendous leadership and guidance to our schools and educators, and I’m grateful for the hard work and dedication of Indiana’s teachers, families and students.”
In 2023, the General Assembly passed legislation that established science of reading standards and delivered focused support to Indiana students facing the most significant reading difficulties.
In the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) rankings, Indiana jumped to sixth in the nation for both fourth and eighth grade reading.
WalletHub recently ranked Indiana eighth in the country for best education environment.