INDIANAPOLIS More than 3,000 Indiana third graders are repeating the grade this school year after failing the states IREAD assessment, according to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE).

The number marks a sharp increase compared to previous years.

Education officials say the jump stems from new literacy policies that went into effect for the 20242025 school year.

Out of approximately 84,000 Hoosier third graders, 3.6% a little more than 3,000 students were not promoted to fourth grade, the states report shows.

Before the new literacy policies were enforced, just over 400 students were held back the previous year.

3000 of those students remained in third grade to get that additional support and help from our teachers to ensure they are reading by the end of third grade. That's wh

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