Indiana test scores reveal progressive growth in Math, flatlining in English Language Arts

SOUTH BEND, Ind.—The 2024-2025 ILEARN results are in and while students across Indiana are making consistent gains in math, the state is still facing challenges in English Language Arts (ELA). Nearly seven in ten students statewide are not meeting proficiency in both subjects.

Educators say there’s more to the story than the numbers can tell.

Math proficiency continues to trend upward statewide, with steady year over year improvement. However, English Language Arts scores tell a different story, scores have remained largely flat and, in some areas, have even declined.

In a statement, Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner said,

“While we are positively moving and improving in math,” she said, “there is an urgent need to support middle school students in English/Language Arts.”

Locally, districts that have historically performed below the state average like South Bend Schools and School City of Mishawaka saw slight increases this year. In Mishawaka, administrators credit targeted tutoring programs and a pilot of the newly modified ILEARN assessment for next year.

Dr. Caity Stockstell, Director of Curriculum & Instruction at School City of Mishawaka, credits the district’s data driven approach,

“At School City of Mishawaka, we’ve been really focused on using data to drive instruction,” Stockstell said. “This year, we had the opportunity to pilot ILEARN checkpoints, and this coming school year, all schools will be implementing those checkpoints.”

But she says the work is far from over, especially when it comes to recovering from pandemic related learning loss.

“We also saw that at the middle school level just like the rest of the state there is a real need in English Language Arts and math,” she explained. “That closely ties back to the lingering effects of the pandemic.”

Meanwhile, Penn-Harris-Madison Schools continue to lead the region and rank among the top school districts in the state. PHM sits in the top 4% of public school corporations statewide and ranks as the number one large district in Indiana based on the percentage of students on free and reduced lunch.

While the district did see a slight dip in ELA scores this year, overall performance remained relatively stable, with continued growth in other areas.

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short says,

“We really don’t spend a ton of time anymore talking about the pandemic and where students were,” said Short. “The state even set the new baseline at 2021 data—so that’s where we start from. From there, we’re looking to grow students every single year.”

She says the district has implemented a number of instructional strategies, including a heavy focus on early literacy.

“That should continue to pay off over the years,” Short said.

Both PHM and Mishawaka schools say early literacy remains a key focus moving forward. Administrators are leaning into research backed strategies to strengthen students’ foundational reading skills.

“We always have a focus on continuous improvement,” said Short. “So we’ll continue celebrate the areas that deserve celebration and then we’ll still continue to get back to work and find other areas where we can grow.”

Educators suggest going over their students’ scores with them to see where they can improve, as the next school year approaches.

“Asking them, ‘What do you understand?’ and ‘Where can I support you?’” Stockstell said. “Showing that it’s a learning process. Where your student is at right now doesn’t mean that’s where they have to stay.”

Full results can be found at https://www.in.gov/doe/it/data-center-and-reports/