IREAD

Dear Third Grade Parent/Guardian:

 

As you may know, in March of 2010 the Indiana General Assembly passed Public Law 109 requiring the evaluation of reading skills for all third grade students. This legislation was developed to ensure students can read at grade level prior to fourth grade. As many researchers and educators have noted, from Kindergarten through grade three, students are primarily “learning to read.” But beginning in fourth grade, students must be able to “read to learn.” Standards and materials only get more complex from fourth grade forward, and students who cannot read proficiently will struggle to keep up with their peers. In response to this legislation, your child will take the Indiana Reading Evaluation And Determination (IREAD-3) Assessment during the Spring 2012 test window, which is March 18-20, 2013.

 

Based on the Indiana Academic Standards, IREAD-3 specifically tests foundational reading standards through grade three. The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) created an item sampler with examples of the types of test questions that may appear on IREAD-3. You can download the IREAD-3 Item Sampler by visiting the IDOE website: www.doe.in.gov/assessment/iread_resources.html.

 

You are encouraged to contact your child’s teacher to learn more about his/her reading progress and to gain a better understanding of your child’s reading program, including assessment practices, instructional approaches and expected student performance. Questions to consider when talking to your child’s teacher might include the following:

 

• What are specific ways I can assist my child at home?
• How do I know if my child is on track?
• How do I know if my child is reading an appropriately leveled book?