| by Tim O’Brien | |||||
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I’m proud to share that Indiana is making progress in improving third grade literacy. Recent data from the 2024-2025 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) assessment show a nearly five percentage point increase in literacy rates statewide, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth. More than 87% of Hoosier third graders demonstrated proficiency in reading, putting Indiana’s literacy rate at this grade level back to pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, for the first time, Indiana third-graders saw improvement across all student populations. |
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I also want to celebrate the outstanding literacy achievements in our community. Congratulations to Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. on achieving an 83 percent IREAD pass rate and Warrick County School Corp. for a 96 percent rate. Your dedication is making a real difference in the lives of our children. These IREAD results follow Indiana placing sixth in the country for fourth and eighth grade reading in the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) rankings. To improve Indiana’s literacy rates, the General Assembly passed a law in 2023 implementing science of reading standards, which is evidence-based instruction that increases students’ reading competency through phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, fluency, oral language skills and comprehension. A law passed in 2024 added screenings for students at risk of falling behind on reading proficiency and providing earlier intervention. |
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As your state representative, I am committed to continuing these efforts so every Hoosier student has the tools to succeed. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make Indiana a great place for our children to learn and grow. Results from the 2025 IREAD for individual schools and corporations are available on the Indiana Department of Education’s website. Click here to learn more about the state’s literacy standards. |
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Indiana achieves historic increase in student literacy
Indiana Students Make Historic Gains in Reading
As Indiana’s Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner always says, our students first learn to read, then read to learn.
With that in mind, I’m thrilled to share some news about Indiana’s IREAD scores – Indiana’s third graders just achieved the largest increase in reading proficiency our state has seen since the launch of IREAD in 2013. Last week, the State Board of Education shared the 2024-2025 IREAD assessment scores, which show a nearly 5% increase in literacy rates for third graders across the state.
Additionally, 87.3% of third graders are now proficient in foundational reading skills, an increase of 6,000 more students than last year.
Recognizing the acute need for our students to improve their literacy skills, the General Assembly supported legislation to implement Science of Reading curriculum in our classrooms, increase financial investments in literacy initiatives and provide targeted support for students who are falling behind.
Though I’m pleased to have played a small part in the efforts to increase our literacy rates, we must thank and recognize our educators who are working with our students every day to help them improve. We could not have achieved this level of improvement without their focus, dedication and care for the students they instruct and mentor.
HOT JOBS
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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Otters rally in eighth but can’t complete comeback
Evansville started behind the 8-ball early, trailing 5-0 in the first. Nolan Thebiay came in to finish the first and pitched a scoreless second, striking out two in the process.
Parker Brahms entered the third for his first relief appearance of the season and had his best stuff working. He worked 6.1 innings, striking out eight batters with no walks. It is the third time Brahms has struck out eight batters in a game this year. The only blemish for him on the night was a two-out rally in the sixth that made the score 7-0 Windy City.
The Otters’ offense was locked down until the eighth inning. Back-to-back singles from Keenan Taylor and Stephen Paolini started the inning. Two walks followed, scoring the first run for Evansville and a ground out scored the second run. Dennis Pierce launched a three-run home run to bring Evansville within two. A walk brought the tying run to the plate but they couldn’t keep the rally alive, entering the ninth trailing 7-5.
Brahms started the ninth and got the first out. Gunnar Dennis entered to finish the inning, keeping the deficit at two. The Otters came to bat in the ninth but couldn’t complete the comeback, falling 7-5.
Evansville’s nine-game win streak tied the longest in franchise history and tied the second longest streak by a team this year in the Frontier League.
The Otters return tomorrow for the series and season rubber match against the Windy City ThunderBolts with a 12:35 p.m CT matinee game. Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. for the final Dog Days of Summer.
The Word In 120 , Who Is Your God?
Who Is Your God?
by Jerome Stewart 
Daniel chapter 3; Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego violated a decree given by King Nebuchanezzar to fall down and worship a golden image. Vs. 12 says; “There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego; these men O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image you have set up.” They disrespected a King! Vss. 13 thru 15 says; Then Nebuchanezzar, in a rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchanezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
Vss. 16 thru 18 says; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchanezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you set up.” Nebuchadnezzar did not understand that they trusted in the living God! Vs. 19 says; Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. “He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.” They were thrown into the furnace! Vs. 23 says; the flame of the fire killed the men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace and said; “I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” So the question is this— Who is your God?
Hoosier History Highlights
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