REPS. KARICKHOFF, VANNATTER PRAISE IREAD SCORES INCREASING FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Aug. 18 -- The Indiana House of Representatives' Republican Caucus issued the following news release:

STATEHOUSE (Aug. 18, 2026)- State Reps. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) and Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) are celebrating Hoosier students' scores on the 2026 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination assessment rising for the fifth consecutive year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

VanNatter 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.

"Strong literacy outcomes don't happen overnight," VanNatter said. "They come from consistent instruction, engaged families and educators who are c...