The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation had 1,445 of its 1,818 third grade students pass the IREAD-3 test earlier this year — a total of 80 percent. All third grade students in Indiana take the test, – which is required by Indiana House Enrolled Act 1367, in order to progress to fourth grade English/Language Arts curriculum.
Jackie Kuhn, EVSC director of language arts and literacy support, said nine schools in the EVSC increased their pass rates. Among those, Glenwood Leadership Academy saw the largest gains, with a 15.8 percent increase to 66.7 percent. Also increasing the pass rate by double digits was Fairlawn Elementary, with an 
11.2 percent increase to 86.8 percent.
Kuhn said she was pleased that a total of nine EVSC elementary schools also had pass rates higher than 85 percent and seven schools showed progress in reducing those who did not pass.
Velinda Stubbs, chief academic officer, said that the EVSC had an influx of students coming from other schools in the area in January. “A total of 33 students enrolled between January and March when the test was given – which is difficult because we have not had the opportunity to teach students for the entire eight months of school before IREAD. Any student who is listed as enrolled in the EVSC – whether they have been at one of our schools for one day, or at other non-school facilities the EVSC serves, count in the overall pass rate,†Stubbs said.
“Some students need additional time to master material,†she added. “Fortunately, we are able to offer a summer school program to help these students succeed.†The EVSC Summer Program offers 60 hours of free individualized tutoring, June 2-27 (at most locations), to students who did not pass the test. Students also work in small groups with a licensed teacher on reading skills and use technology and data to work toward the student’s reading goals. Free bus transportation routes have been established for each of the tutoring sites. An IREAD re-test will be administered the last week of June.
Last year following students’ intensive work in summer school with EVSC teachers, and including the good cause exemptions, the overall pass rate for the EVSC increased over 14 percent.
School
Pass
Caze
68.9%
Cedar Hall
68.3%
Cynthia Heights
87.3%
Daniel Wertz
76.6%
Delaware
66.2%
Dexter
82.3%
Evans
61.6%
Fairlawn
86.8%
Glenwood
66.7%
Harper
75.0%
Hebron
87.7%
Highland
85.4%
Lincoln
42.3%
Lodge
48.9%
Oak Hill
97.4%
Scott
96.2%
Stockwell
76.9%
Stringtown
79.5%
Tekoppel
82.2%
Vogel
85.6%
West Terrace
87.9%
