Indiana
State Information
The purpose of this document is to capture state-by-state information of policy and guidelines related to the science of reading / evidence-based reading instruction to be presented on The Reading League Compass, a website of reliable and reputable guidance and resources for targeted stakeholder groups.
Updated 2025
Local control?
Yes
Has your state passed legislation and/or non-legislated rule changes related to the science of reading?
Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 358: Various Education Matters Indiana Literacy Cadre
SEA 358 codified Indiana Literacy Cadre which refers to the department’s collaborative professional development initiative for educators that is aligned with the science of reading. Through the Indiana Literacy Cadre, participating schools receive literacy coaching from a school-based coach.
Additionally, a requirement that schools below 70% passing on IREAD must participate as a targeted reading support, subject to available funding.
Does your state have an approved curriculum list?
Yes. As defined in IC 20-26-12-24.5, this requirement began in the 2024-25 school year.
Information regarding this process can be located on IDOE’s High-Quality Curricular Materials landing page.
Was evidence-aligned reading instruction a consideration for the curriculum review?
Yes, a rubrics were was developed by the department to evaluate core curricular materials.
2024-2025 K-5 High-Quality Curricular Materials Evaluation Rubric Aligned to the Science of Reading
2024-2025 6-8 High-Quality Curricular Materials Evaluation Rubric Aligned to the Science of Reading
Additionally, the department developed rubrics to assist schools in evaluating supplemental materials aligned to the science of reading:
2024-2025 K-5 Supplemental Materials Evaluation Rubric Aligned to the Science of Reading
2024-2025 6-8 Supplemental Materials Evaluation Rubric Aligned to the Science of Reading
Please describe any other instructional-materials work related to the science of reading with links, where applicable
Science of Reading and Dyslexia Toolkit
2025-2026 Science of Reading Experts Explain Series
Does your state mandate or provide guidance on early screening?
Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, IC 20-32-5.1-17 required IDOE to procure a preferred universal screener, Acadience K-6 Reading was chosen.
Please describe any other assessment work related to the science of reading with links, where applicable
Universal screening for all K-2 students is required annually to identify students who may be “at some risk” or “at risk” of not reaching reading proficiency.
Indiana also administers IREAD at grade two and three which is designed to measure foundational reading skills based on Indiana Academic Standards through grade three.
Does your state have policy or guidance related to MTSS that incorporates information on the science of reading and/or evidence-based literacy practices?
Pursuant to IC 20-32-8.5-2 and IC 20-32-5.1-20, IDOE developed guidance for schools on how to support students who are at risk of not being proficient in reading. Such guidance is now available as the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. The framework focuses on using data and instruction to meet students’ literacy needs.
Does your state have policy or guidance related to instruction and/or professional development
Yes. As defined in Indiana’s Priorities for Early Literacy, a priority for the state is to provide opportunity and support for science of reading implementation throughout Indiana Schools along with high-quality, ongoing, data-driven, professional development for educators.
An avenue to support these priorities have been through a cadre model known as the Indiana Literacy Cadre.
Per statute, the early literacy endorsement requirements apply to educators who teach in a content area that involves literacy instruction for PK-5 students and are renewing their license on or after July 1, 2027.
In order to add the early literacy endorsement, current educators must complete 80 hours of science of reading professional development approved by IDOE and pass a content licensure test.
Does your state have state-developed guidance documents or training courses related to the science of reading?
Yes, Indiana’s Priorities for Early Literacy defines statewide priorities to support educators in aligning instructional practice with science of reading to better support literacy progress for all Hoosier students.
Additionally, in spring of 2024 the department announced a partnership with Keys to Literacy to support Indiana educators in obtaining the early literacy endorsement as defined in IC 20-28-5-19.7.
Has your state reviewed standards for alignment to the science of reading?
Yes, as defined by IC 20-31-3-2.5 HEA 1558 was recently passed in Indiana’s 2023 legislative session requireding the department to align standards to science of reading.These revisions can be found here: 2023 Indiana Academic Standards aligned to the science of reading.
Please describe any other standards work related to the science of reading with links, where applicable.
The 2023 Indiana Academic Standards for English/Language Arts are slated to be revised during the 2027-2028 school year, at which time efforts will include aligning standards with the science of reading.
Does your state have guidance or resources for families related to the science of reading? If so, please link and provide a short description.
Parent and Family Hub IN Learning Lab
Do you have policy or guidance regarding how to leverage evidence-based practices to support secondary students?
Pursuant to IC 20-32-8.5-2 and IC 20-32-5.1-20, IDOE developed guidance for schools on how to support students who are at risk of not being proficient in reading. Such guidance is now available as the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. The framework focuses on using data and instruction to meet students’ literacy needs.
Does your state have state-developed guidance documents or training courses related to the science of reading and Multilingual learners? If so, please link and provide a short description.
Science of Reading for English Learners Companion Guide
Does your state have licensure or program approval criteria to ensure Educator Preparation Programs are aligned to the science of reading?
Yes, HEA 1558 was recently passed in Indiana’s 2023 legislative session requiring EPP’s across the state to embed science of reading into program curriculum.
Pursuant to state law passed in 2023, by July 1, 2024, Indiana educator preparation programs (EPPs) educating future early childhood, elementary, and special education teacher candidates must include content within their curriculum that is aligned to science of reading. EPPs are responsible for preparing preservice educators and ensuring their program completers have met all program and licensure requirements, including testing.
Pursuant to state law passed in 2023, future Indiana educators who apply for their first professional educator license in a content area that involves literacy instruction for PK-5 students.
Do you have a “contact us” website that we can share publicly on TRL Compass?
Please describe and link to any other work you would like to share that relates to the science of reading
Interactive State Map
Use the interactive state map to find descriptions of state-level policy adoption, guidance, and practices related to the science of reading. State policy may include legislation incorporating training or practices related to the science of reading or state education agency guidance regarding policy, professional development, curricula, instruction, or assessment.
Filter by specific topic area(s) to find state-specific work:
The Reading League expresses gratitude to our collaborators and associates within the state education agencies for sharing their state-specific data. This data will undergo semi-annual updates, contingent upon the availability and resources of the respective state agencies. For any inquiries, clarifications, or updates, please reach out to compass@thereadingleague.org.
