The 2024-2025 Indiana Reading and Determination (IREAD) standardized test results show 87.3% of third graders in the state read proficiently. A University of Indianapolis initiative is believed to have played a significant role.
The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning at UIndy aims to increase student success by working with institutions in several ways, including brokering knowledge, facilitating funding and translating policy changes into practice, according to Executive Director of CELL Carey Dahncke. CELL is a member of the Indiana Literacy Cadre, a partnership between the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and Marian University’s Center for Vibrant Schools. The cadre works to help Indiana students read proficiently by the end of third grade, when the IREAD is administered.
“One initiative that’s gotten a lot of attention here recently is our literacy initiative,” Dahncke said. “We have helped teachers across the state to understand the science of reading and how to take the research behind that science and turn it into practice, namely, teaching and learning activities in the primary grades that help students learn to read much more effectively than what has historically been happening in elementary schools across the state.”
Through the cadre, IDOE’s goal is to have 95% of third graders reading proficiently by 2027, according to CELL Literacy Director Megan Thompson. Any school in the state is allowed to apply to participate; however, schools with the most need will get prioritized.
“The part that they have to do is they have to provide the employee, the coach, because the literacy coach is an employee of their district, and then they have to stay in good standing with the assurances of the [Indiana] Department of Education,” Thompson said. “So they have to attend all the training, complete data reports and do a variety of actions that show that it is a partnership. We do our part, and they do their part.”
It has traditionally been left for teachers to decide on what learning materials to include in their courses, according to Dahncke. To create an impact, CELL focuses on having teachers remove any variables first, such as varying lesson plans. Indiana law requires all reading instruction to be aligned with the science of reading. The goal is for every classroom around the state to have effective practices so students can get an effective learning experience, according to Dahncke.
