DeLaney statement on reading proficiency in Indiana schools

On Nov. 22, House Republican leadership discussed the ongoing decline of literacy rates among Hoosier students. The 2023 IREAD- 3 results revealed that nearly 1 in 5 students, close to 14,000, are unable to read proficiently by third grade. Indiana’s literacy rate still falls below its pre-COVID-19 benchmark. Boosting reading proficiency will be a focus of the 2024 legislative session. 

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) released the following statement: 

“One-fifth of Hoosier third graders are unable to read at an adequate level. On Organization Day, House Speaker Todd Huston recognized there’s a reading proficiency crisis. He admitted that we’ve failed to curb the decline of literacy rates. 

“House Republicans’ 12-year control of education has contributed to the problem: They need to acknowledge that excessive testing and ever-changing 'reform' isn’t the answer. Reading proficiency is a critical predictor of future academic success or struggle. House Republicans must take responsibility for the continued decline in reading proficiency.

“Their answer is truly punitive: hold back third grade students who are unable to read. Why are we bottlenecking the problem? Let’s solve this problem statewide instead of holding back individual students. We owe it to every Hoosier parent to properly assess this crisis. 

“I’ll tell you what we can’t do: Create more obstacles for educators. Instead, we must provide them with more resources. That may be more teacher’s aides, increased incentives or it may be simply leaving them at peace to do their work. Indiana teachers are leaving the profession in droves. We need to act now, and we need to act in the best interest of Hoosier students.”