State leaders recognized educators from 241 schools with scores of 95% or above on the 2023 administration of the IREAD assessment at a ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse on Thursday.
“Mastering foundational literacy skills by the end of third grade is vital to achieving our goal that 95% of Hoosier students are reading proficiently by 2027,” said Governor Eric Holcomb. “Across our state, educators, families and communities are linking arms to help more students read, and it is important that we celebrate this impactful work.”
Chrisney Elementary, Lincoln Trail Elementary and St. Bernard Catholic School of Spencer County were all honored for scoring 95% or above last year. In Dubois County, Northeast Dubois Intermediate School and Ireland Elementary School, as well as Holy Trinity Catholic School, were recognized for this feat.
“While we urgently work to overcome our reading crisis in Indiana, we also must take time to celebrate the schools that continue to improve outcomes for students. Throughout the year, there are opportunities to highlight schools with visits, individual teacher celebrations, and an annual red carpet gala for educators,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “Today, for the first-time ever, we hosted a celebration for schools that are hitting our statewide reading goal. Today’s celebration included large and small schools, urban and rural, as well as schools that serve diverse student populations, both in terms of race and ethnicity and socioeconomic status, yet the one thing that they all have in common is that they are making it work for students!”
The event program also included remarks from Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray and House Speaker Todd Huston thanking and celebrating the educators in attendance.
“Indiana has a goal of 95% proficiency, and the schools honored today represent that goal and so much more,” said Senator Rodric Bray, President Pro Tempore of the Indiana Senate. “These educators are an inspiration to every other school, demonstrating that achieving our state’s literacy goal is not only attainable but attainable year after year.”
Under the leadership of President Pro Tem Bray, Senate Bill 1, which focuses on early intervention and support for students to ensure they are reading by the end of third grade, is a top priority for the Indiana Senate during the 2024 legislative session and is also part of Governor Holcomb’s 2024 Next Level Agenda. In 2023, under the leadership of Speaker Huston, the Indiana House of Representatives prioritized the passage of the state’s largest-ever investment in literacy.
“Today, there is economic activity happening in every corner and in every county of our state. For many reasons, there’s never been a better time to be a Hoosier, particularly a young Hoosier. But the foundation of that is reading,” said Representative Todd Huston, Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives. “By helping more students gain foundation reading skills, Indiana’s educators are truly impacting kids’ lives. With the most heartfelt and deepest admiration and thankfulness, thank you for the work you put in every single day for the kids of Indiana.”
Read more on this story in this week’s issue of the Spencer County Leader!
