Here in Indiana, we know how important it is to ensure Hoosier kids receive a great education so they can be prepared for successful futures.

Following the COVID pandemic, 1 in 5 Hoosier kids were not proficient in reading, and it became clear a "back-to-the basics" approach was needed to help them catch up.

With that in mind, I sponsored a 2023 law that refocused literacy education on phonics, commonly referred to as the Science of Reading. These efforts were paired with $170 million in new funding from the General Assembly and the Lilly Endowment to improve reading instruction.

Senate Republicans also made improving Hoosier students' reading skills our top priority in 2024, focusing on further emphasis on the Science of Reading, assessment, remediation and, as a last resort, retention. Our students first learn to read, then read to learn, which is why it is critical for our students, teachers, schools and state to place such a high priority on reading skills.

Thankfully, these efforts are paying off:

• Hoosier students are seeing historic gains in learning, with 87% of Hoosier 3rd graders now reading proficiently.
• In 2024, our 4th graders jumped from 19th to 6th on the nation's report card (NAEP) and our 8th graders jumped from 17th to 6th.
• In 2025, Indiana 3rd graders saw the largest-ever increase in the percentage of Hoosier students passing the IREAD test – a jump of 6,000 more Hoosier children passing than the previous year. 

In addition, our caucus has continued to prioritize education with laws that:

• Increased education funding by $2.4 billion in the past four years, with all local schools seeing funding increases.
• Provided over $100 million in funding for school safety grants in four years.
• Gave every Indiana family the right to choose the school that best fits their kids' needs.
• Made sure colleges prepare their students for good-paying jobs.

I encourage you to contact me with any questions or comments by filling out a "Contact Me" form online or by phone at 800-382-9467.