BCSC reports gains in early reading; second-grade iRead pass rate rises to 54%

Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation officials reported progress on early-reading outcomes at the March 30 board meeting, citing an increase in second‑grade iRead pass rates and outlining interventions the district is using to support students.

The district said its baseline when universal second-grade iRead testing began in 2024 was 44 percent; that rose to 50 percent in 2025, and presenters reported a current second-grade pass rate of 54 percent (441 of 819 second graders tested). District staff said of the 378 students who had not passed that 90 students are on track to pass in third grade based on their scores, while 288 are considered at risk and require continued intervention. Presenters emphasized small-group instruction, progress monitoring and programs such as BookBuddies, which the district said had a 93 percent pass rate for participating students.

The district described a K–3 Mentoring and Coaching Team focused on early‑career teachers and primary-grade instructional consistency and said it plans Tier 1 instructional alignment to Indiana academic standards. Presenters projected a 90 percent pass rate at the end of third grade with continued interventions.

Board members asked about the effects of weather-related lost instruction days and whether the district will adopt screening and reporting tools for math next year; presenters said the state is providing options for math screeners and the district is evaluating those options.

The presentation concluded with board members thanking teachers and instructional coaches for the work behind the improvement in early reading.