Just over 3,000 third graders were kept from advancing to the fourth grade in 2025 after being unable to pass the Indiana standardized reading test.

Data released during the State Board of Education meeting Nov. 5 shows the impact of the newly implemented law that requires third graders to be held back if they do not pass the state’s IREAD literacy test and don't meet one of the exemptions.

In August, the state released the latest IREAD scores, which showed a “historic” jump in the standardized test's pass rate. However, leaders said at the time, retention rate data for the 10,663 students who didn't pass was not available.

This new data shows a large jump in the number of third graders being retained under the law, compared to previous years, when most students were promo

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