From State Senator Jean Leising
Indiana Reading Scores ImproveThanks to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, Indiana saw an impressive improvement in reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
Our state’s scores improved from 19th to 6th in the nation among fourth graders and from 17th to 6th among eighth graders.
This improvement is due in large part to our state’s teachers who are working hard to help our students get back on track.
In addition to funding increases for programs that promote literacy, in recent years, we have supported legislation that required schools to align curriculum to the Science of Reading and required teacher preparation programs to train new teachers in the Science of Reading.
In 2024, our caucus’s top priority was Senate Enrolled Act 1, which reemphasized the importance of Science of Reading, improved early identification and intervention for students struggling to read and, as a last resort, limited schools’ ability to promote students who can’t read by the end of third grade.
As we all know, the ability to read is foundational to academic success, and I am very pleased to see our students are making strong improvements.
To view NAEP test scores by state, click here.
Meeting with Indiana Realtors
This week I had the opportunity to meet with Connersville native Jesse Kelley of Indiana Realtors at the Statehouse to discuss current topics relating to their profession.
Discussing Rural Health Care
Recently, I had the privilege of meeting with leadership from St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Dearborn County.
We discussed challenges facing rural health care and what we can do to improve it.
Attending the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services
This week, I attended the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Servies. We talked about payments for Medicaid reimbursements. Thank you to everyone who came to speak with us.
Bill to Protect Farmers Passes Committee
This week, a bill I authored that would provide more protection for farmers through the Indiana Grain Indemnity Fund passed out of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. I look forward to presenting this bill to the Senate for further consideration.
I am thankful to all those who came to testify on the bill and I’m glad to have the opportunity to support our state’s agriculture industry.
