- Indiana lawmakers introduced a bill Tuesday that would prevent students from failing the state’s high-stakes reading test, currently administered in third grade.
- The bill would also delay the initial administration of the test by one year, meaning passing sophomores would not have to take the test again.
- Some estimates suggest that if the bill passes, about 7,000 additional students would be barred from entering fourth grade in the 2025-26 school year.
Indiana lawmakers on Tuesday blocked the admission of thousands of third-graders who don’t pass the state’s reading and writing tests, rejecting opponents’ claims that it could burden schools and cause psychological damage to children. submitted a bill.
According to the Indiana State Department of Education, about 18% of third-graders failed last year’s reading comprehension test. Republican lawmakers argue that schools are exempting too many failing students and allowing them to continue through fourth grade.
If the proposal becomes law, second graders would be required to take a highly important reading test, currently optional for that grade, as an early indicator of their progress. If passed, the student does not need to retake the exam in her junior year.
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If you don’t pass again in your third year, you can attend summer school and take the test again. If she chooses not to take the exam or she does not pass on three attempts, she will be placed on hold from her fourth year.
Approximately 7,000 additional students will repeat third grade starting in the 2025-26 school year, according to estimates attached to the bill.
The state House voted 69-27 to advance the bill largely along party lines. The bill needs final approval in the state Senate, where it originated, before it goes to Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk. He supports the measure along with the state Department of Education.
Eight-year-old Janley Barco testifies before the Indiana State House Education Committee on February 14, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Isabella Vollmert)
Many Republicans, who control both chambers of the General Assembly, say they need to intervene after a decade of declining literacy rates.
“The preservation part of this bill is getting most of the attention,” the bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Jake Teshka, told lawmakers Tuesday. “This is really an early intervention bill, giving students every possible opportunity to read by third grade.”
The bill allows for exemptions, including for some English language learners and students with disabilities. It also establishes reading assessments for kindergarten-age students so parents and teachers know where they stand.
Democrats in the state Assembly have repeatedly voted against the bill, arguing that curbing student activities would strain school resources. Some say holding back students can have detrimental social and emotional effects.
Like many states, Indiana changed the way it teaches reading to elementary school students last year, introducing audio strategies, also known as the science of reading. Some opponents argued that the Indiana Legislature should allow schools to fully implement the measure before making other changes.
A Democratic proposal to delay the retention policy by a year failed on the House floor on Monday.
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“Why do we continue to come here every year and change the way our children are educated?” state Rep. Cherish Pryor, the Democratic leader, asked lawmakers Tuesday. “The kids can’t keep up, the teachers can’t keep up, the parents can’t keep up. I don’t know who will be able to keep up.”
