Literacy Rate in 3rd Grade
Why we track this indicator
As an important social determinant of health, the 3rd grade IRead scores are a helpful predictor of future academic success, such as graduation rates from high school, and is a sign that school, family, financial, and health care systems are functioning to support the child's development.
Literacy Rate in 3rd Grade Data Breakdown
Status: Red
Definition: This indicator tracks the passing rate for students taking the IRead test in 3rd grade in all seven school districts in Elkhart County. The IRead passing rate is tracked though the Indiana Department of Education's yearly report on student graduations. This information is obtained through publicly available data.
Source: Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)
Last Updated: September 2023
Mitigating Factors: Due to the widespread impact of COVID-19, the US Department of Education granted Indiana a waiver from annual assessment and accountability requirements for the 2019-2020 school year.
Methodology
Methodology: Using the weighted average formula we obtain the average 3rd Grade IRead scores across Elkhart County. We then compare Elkhart County’s average to the State average. The difference between the averages is used to determine the trend.
Goal: To observe higher 3rd Grade IRead scores compared to the state of Indiana average.
Traffic Light:
Green: at least 1% higher IRead scores than Indiana
Gray: within +/- 1% compared to Indiana
Red: at least 1% lower IRead scores than Indiana
Supporting Research
IREAD-3 Parent Guidance
Indiana Department of Education: As the parent of a student in Indiana, the following information is designed to outline for you what Indiana law states about reading requirements for third graders.
3 things to watch with Indiana’s 2021 ILEARN scores
After a tumultuous year, Indiana school leaders are reviewing very low state test scores that largely show what they already knew about the pandemic’s effects on learning.
iRead: Early Outcomes from a Matched Comparison Group QED Study
Emerging readers need to master foundational literacy skills, such as phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension, in order to successfully read to learn throughout their educational trajectory.
Indiana Assessment Windows
Indiana Department of Education: Window of Assessments 2020-2021
Literacy and Health Outcomes
Low literacy is associated with several adverse health outcomes.
Related Indicators
Click to see more data trends related to Literacy in the 3rd Grade
Baugo Community Schools
Baugo Community Schools seeks “to sustain our community by improving our schools in four areas: 1). authentic student, family, and community engagement, 2). powerful teaching and learning, 3). expanded student supports, [and] 4). family and community partnerships.”
Elkhart Community Schools
Elkhart Community Schools is a district that serves approximately 13,000 students, and is known for high-quality programs, exceptional teachers, superior learning environments, and strong parental and community support.
Goshen Community Schools
Inspiring Innovation…Empowering Potential…Enriching our World
Wa-Nee Community Schools
Wa-Nee Community Schools prepares students to be adaptable individuals with the life and educational skills necessary to become responsible and ethical citizens.
Indicators in Action
The ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program will provide low barrier grants to collaborating partners which will help increase cross-system collaboration and facilitate the community response to needs and/or gaps identified through the Elkhart County Child Dashboard. Applicants may request up to $2,000. Two or more applicants can collaborate for collaborative action based upon one or more data indicators and increase the grant request. By leveraging the ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program partners can have a platform that helps to inform community goals and creates a stronger sustainability platform for their programs.
For a copy of the 1-page proposal template click here or email David Wiegner.