05/18/12 Indiana Department of Education Superintendent Dr. Tony Bennett announced on Tuesday that the official results of the first administration of Indiana’s third grade reading assessments IREAD-3 ((Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination) show that 84 percent of students assessed demonstrated foundational third grade reading skills. The test was given from March 19-21, 2012.

Area school corporations received their results in April so that remediation plans for those who did not pass could be initiated. Students who did not pass IREAD-3 during the March testing will have another chance to retake the test this summer, June 13 to July 28, according to the IDOE.

Bennett said, “Our goal is to make sure all students in Indiana gain the reading skills they need to be successful in school and life.” He added, “We know students who do not have those skills by the end of grade 3 rarely catch up to their peers. IREAD-3 assessment helps educators and parents ensure all children receive the support they need before moving forward with more challenging reading instruction.”

Seven hundred of the 77,384 third-graders who took the IREAD-3 test in March were special education students who attend non-public schools but receive services in public schools. These 700 students do not count in a school’s final results. When those students falling under that exception are removed, 122 schools had an increase in their pass rates and 13 schools had a decrease in pass rates, according to the IDOE.

The IDOE is expected to release more information at a later date that will show results for non-public voucher schools as well as disaggregated results at the school and corporation level.

According to the IDOE website: “The IREAD-3 assessment is part of a series of exams created to support early reading instruction in grades K-3. These tests were developed as part of the implementation of legislation (P.L.109) passed in the 2010 legislative session that puts a strong focus on early reading proficiency before moving to grade 4 reading instruction.”

The debate on whether holding a student back a grade in school is more detrimental or beneficial has been going on for as long there have been schools, parents and students. But now, the decision to retain students in 3rd grade who have not achieved a third grade reading level is being taken out of the hands of both local schools and parents.

Students not passing the test will be retained in third grade unless they fall into any of three exceptions included in the rules that implement P. L. 109. Schools do have the option of assigning  students who failed the IREAD-3 on to fourth grade; however, the state will still consider them as a third graders and require that they take the IREAD-3 test again. Exemptions include: A student who has been previously retained twice; a student with disabilities whose case conference committee has determined promotion to grade 4 is appropriate; or an English Language Learner whose Individual Learning Plan (ILP) committee has determined promotion is appropriate.

Dr. Michele A. Walker, IDOE director office of student assessment, explained that the test stems from legislation passed by the State. She said, “As you may know, in March of 2010 the Indiana General Assembly passed Public Law 109 requiring the evaluation of reading skills for all third grade students. This legislation was developed to ensure students can read at grade level prior to fourth grade.” Walker added, “As many researchers and educators have noted, from kindergarten through grade three, students are primarily “learning to read.” But beginning in fourth grade, students must be able to “read to learn.”

Overall Plymouth’s four elementary schools ranked at 93 percent passing the test. Plymouth Superintendent Daniel Tyree said, “I’m elated at the percentage of students who passed the IREAD-3 test.” He added, “This is a testament to the hard working, skilled teachers we have at all four elementary schools.” Of the 16 students not passing, 11 fall within the exempt guidelines.

Triton Elementary School had 97 percent of their third graders passing. According to Christine Cook, who heads up the curriculum/data analysis for the corporation, those not passing will be enrolled in the summer school classes starting on June 4. She said they will have a retake session in late June. The percentage does not include a student who was absent during the window for taking the test and who will use the retake test dates to take the test.

Culver Elementary had 10 students fail the test with five of the ten falling within the exemption levels. Principal Chuck Kitchell said their overall passing percentage was at 85 percent. Summer schools sessions will include remediation for those who need to retake the IREAD-3 test.

LaVille Elementary Assistant Principal Randy Romer said they will be holding summer school on the weeks of June 11 and June 18 from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. He said those students not passing the IREAD-3 test will be asked to attend summer school. Their overall passing rate was at 87 percent.

Carol Anders Correspondent