Turning the Page on Literacy: Idaho’s Reading Gains Show What’s Possible

In the world of education, progress is often measured in small steps, not giant leaps. But Idaho’s recent improvements on the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI) show that when communities, educators, and families work together, those small steps can add up to real momentum for our youngest learners.

The IRI, which assesses early literacy skills in kindergarten through third grade, is more than just another test. It’s an early warning system—helping identify students who need extra support before reading struggles become lifelong barriers. And this year’s results offer encouraging news: more Idaho students are reading at or above grade level than we’ve seen in years and up 3% from last year.

Statewide, gains have been most notable in the earliest grades. Kindergarten and first-grade students—t