Deerfield News & Notes: IREAD-3

Please read below for information about this important test administration at Deerfield. You'll find the answers to several common questions here.

• Monday, February 24 - IREAD-3 Practice Testing
• Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (March 4th, 5th, and 6th) - IREAD-3 Testing Dates
• Testing will begin first thing each morning on dates listed above. Please be sure your child is at school on time each day, well rested, and with a charged Chromebook. Students will need to arrive at school at 8:00 to have time to eat breakfast before testing begins. These details really do help students perform their very best.

IREAD-3 is a reading assessment that measures foundational reading skills through grade 3. IREAD-3 was developed in accordance with the 2010 Indiana General Assembly passage of Public Law 109 (Indiana Code 20-32-8.5-2), which required the evaluation of reading skills for all 3rd grade students to ensure they can read at grade level prior to 4th grade.

Beginning in the spring of 2025, all 2nd graders in the state must take IREAD-3. The Indiana Legislature has decided that using this same assessment tool with 2nd graders will provide schools with information regarding reading ability at grade 2.

Students in grades 2 and 3 will be taking the test on Tuesday, March 4th; Wednesday, March 5th; and Thursday, March 6th. Please be sure your child is at school on testing days. Students who are absent may not join their class for the next day's test session. Make-up sessions will be scheduled for students who are absent. Test sessions begin right after breakfast.

Grade 3 students who do not pass in the spring must participate in summer school and retake the assessment at the end of their summer school session. If the student does not pass in the summer and does not qualify for a Good Cause Exemption (GCE), state law requires the student to be retained in 3rd grade. The student will continue to receive reading intervention each year until they achieve a passing score on the IREAD-3 assessment. All students who do not pass will continue to test through grade 6 summer administration until the student passes IREAD or enters grade 7.

Grade 2 students who do not pass the spring IREAD-3 administration must receive appropriate support and remediation prior to retesting the following spring in 3rd grade. Summer school must be offered for students in grade 2 who score "At Risk." The Indiana Department of Education allows a summer retest for any 2nd grade student who did not pass the spring administration. However, it is our belief at Deerfield that our students would be better suited to receive more instruction and intervention during 3rd grade before taking the test again.

The Indiana Department of Education directs that schools should document communication attempts with families outlining IREAD-3 testing requirements, supports, and timelines. Students who do not pass IREAD-3 and are not eligible for a new Good Cause Exemption must be retained in grade three under Indiana law.

More information about the IREAD-3 can be found on the Indiana Department of Education website:

https://www.in.gov/doe/students/assessment/iread-3/