With twins in the third grade, Shari Lewis has two reasons to be concerned about Indiana’s Reading Excellence Action Demonstration assessment.
“My twins are probably going to pass this test, but I’m concerned it’s there,” she said during an interview Oct. 13.
In March 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, according to Indiana Department of Education information.
Based on the Indiana Academic Standards, IREAD-3 tests foundational reading standards through third grade.
Third-graders who fail the IREAD-3 test, which will be taken March 19-21, must be retained in third grade the next school year under Indiana law, unless a student qualifies for a waiver or they pass the test in the summer on their second try.
Lewis’s children attend Warsaw Community Schools. She became aware of IREAD-3 last year when her twins were in second grade. She has a couple of friends who are teachers and they told her that when her kids reached third grade, this is what the IDOE was going to do as far as IREAD-3.
Wanting to know more about IREAD-3, Lewis started making contact with local and state education officials, including IDOE Director of Student Assessment Michele Walker. Lewis said Walker spent almost an hour on the phone with her.
Last year, the state conducted a pilot test for IREAD-3. One class from every school corporation was chosen for the pilot test, Lewis was told.
“If 20 percent of them fail this test, they’re hoping 10 to 15 percent fall under those waivers,” Lewis said.
According to IDOE information on the waivers, “Some third-graders who do not pass IREAD-3 can be exempted from the consequences outlined in the State Board Rule. Students eligible for a Good Cause exemption include: 1. Students who have previously been retained two times prior to promotion to fourth grade. 2. Students with disabilities whose case conference committee has determined that promotion is appropriate. 3. English Learners whose Individual Learning Plan committee has determined that promotion is appropriate.”
If a student does not pass in their first attempt on the IREAD-3 exam, a second attempt during the summer could result in the student being promoted to the fourth grade, Lewis said.
Even if less than 5 percent of this year’s third-graders get held back for the 2012-13 school year, Lewis asked, “Who’s going to pay for that?”
Per her conversation with Walker, Lewis said Walker thinks the IREAD-3 program is a great solution. Lewis isn’t so sure. No one has been able to show her any data that indicates retention improves reading.
“I want there to be something in place other than (a student) being held back in third grade,” Lewis said.
As a parent, voter and taxpayer, Lewis said she is amazed and impressed with what Warsaw Community Schools is doing to get its students ready for the IREAD-3 assessment.
The school system tested its third-graders back in September to measure at what reading level its students were at, Lewis said. They will be tested again before March to give them one more month to see how students are coming along and prepare them.
“I was very impressed with how much they’ve done,” Lewis said.
“I think we are so lucky. I think our school system is above and beyond,” Lewis said. “As far as this goes, I know their hands are tied.”
Lewis isn’t sure how much parents know of the IREAD-3 program, but during parent-teacher conferences the week of Oct. 17-21, parents were to get the results of the September practice tests to see what their students’ results are.
She knows many parents had questions about IREAD-3 at the start of this school year.
“I’m sure parents of third-graders this year will have more of an opinion,” Lewis said.
