Governor Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner joined Lilly Endowment Inc. to announce the state's largest-ever financial investment in literacy. The combined investment from the state and Lilly Endowment of up to $111 million will support early literacy development using proven teaching strategies aligned with the Science of Reading. Lilly Endowment has approved a grant of up to $60 million for this effort. These efforts will support the state's goal of having 95 percent of Indiana's students achieve a passage rate on IREAD-3 by 2027.

"This incredibly generous investment made by The Lilly Endowment, coupled with additional state funding, will set Indiana apart when it comes to preparing our greatest asset – Hoosier children – for tomorrow." said senator Jeff Raatz. "This funding, coupled with the state's additional funding, will total an investment of nearly $111 million to take large strides in improving early literacy development in Hoosier children.”

The state will invest in:
Support the deployment of instructional coaches to schools throughout Indiana;

Offer stipends to teachers who participate in professional development focused on the Science of Reading.

Provide targeted support for students who need the most help in improving their reading skills.

Create a literacy center focused on Science of Reading strategies.

 "I believe this funding will not only better prepare our students for a successful life but will benefit the teaching profession as well by offering stipends to those who choose to participate in professional development regarding the Science of Reading. There will also be literacy coaches who can assist in this endeavor  across our state. As a result, our students will have an immense opportunity to be successful in the life they choose by being equipped with better access to literacy instruction, which makes this an exciting day for education in Indiana."

Results from Indiana's statewide third-grade reading assessment (IREAD-3) indicate nearly one in five Hoosier students (18.4 percent) have not yet mastered foundational reading skills by the end of grade three. These foundational skills set the groundwork for more robust reading comprehension, which is essential for future learning in later grades and throughout life.

“Reading is fundamental to each student's lifelong opportunities, and it's foundational to the core of our state's future," said Holcomb. "This immense investment will make an enduring impact on our youngest generation of Hoosiers, empowering them with fundamental skills that they will carry with them throughout their lives."

The Science of Reading is a research-based strategy that integrates instructional practices with efforts focused on phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Decades of child development and brain research emphasize the need for all of these components to be taught to students to ensure they have the reading skills necessary for future academic and life success.

The state's team will work with the Hunt Institute, which has nationally recognized expertise in the Science of Reading, to provide training and content for teachers. In addition, an advisory panel of national experts in Science of Reading will regularly advise IDOE on all of these efforts.

Future teachers entering the state's elementary school system should be prepared to use Science of Reading instruction in their classrooms as well.