(Idaho Department of Education Press Release, August 19, 2026)
Idaho students made gains across the state’s spring assessments, with significant growth in early literacy and increased proficiency in every subject measured by the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI) and the Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT), according to newly released statewide results.
This year’s scores demonstrate overall gains on both assessments. ISAT results show an increase in students scoring at grade level for the past three years, while IRI results indicate that K-3 students and teachers have had success in the second administration of a new, more rigorous IRI assessment.
Both assessments are administered to Idaho students each school year. The ISAT, designed to assess students in grades 3 – 8 and 11 on math and English language arts as well as students in grades 5, 8, and 11 on science, is administered every spring. The IRI, which assesses phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension, is given to K-3 students every spring and fall.
Overall, the skill testing on the new Amira IRI assessment is more rigorous than previous test versions, offering a more complex evaluation of students’ reading abilities. Additionally, the assessment no longer allows students to choose from four multiple-choice answers to each question, eliminating potential false positives from “lucky choice” guesses and removing the advantage that comes with selecting an answer rather than providing one. Instead, students are asked to respond in ways that are more constructive and applied, calling on deeper learning and more advanced test-taking skills.
This year’s IRI results show significant growth in scores among Idaho kindergarteners since the spring administration, and steady, incremental increases among the remainder of the K-3 cohort. Highlights include:
- Fall-to-spring kindergarten proficiency scores (students scoring “at grade level”) increased by almost 30 percentage points
- Fall-to-spring proficiency scores across all grades increased by 13 percentage points
- Increases in overall proficiency scores across all grades and a corresponding decrease in students scoring below grade level across all grades
- Students with the most exposure to Idaho classrooms – third graders – continue to show year-to-year improvement in proficiency rates
“When we saw last year’s assessment results – particularly those from students taking the new Idaho Reading Indicator – we felt comfortable with an optimistic outlook, especially as we continued to invest in the programs that drive these outcomes,” said Superintendent Debbie Critchfield. “Now that we’re seeing these steady improvements, we can say with confidence that our educators are succeeding, our students are succeeding, and our educational communities are rising to the occasion to really support and prop up student achievement.”
The Idaho Department of Education recently implemented the Idaho SMART Project statewide, which provides K-3 teachers with a comprehensive system of literacy support grounded in the science of reading and anchored in Idaho’s literacy laws. Participating educators receive collaborative, one-on-one coaching to support the use of evidence-based instruction in the classroom.
“From seeing a significant recovery from our incoming cohort of kindergartners to the across-the-board reduction in students scoring below grade level, we’re seeing Idaho’s investments in early literacy directly reflected in student outcomes,” said Critchfield. “I want to specifically recognize the Idaho Legislature, who responded when we asked them to support literacy coaches two years ago. We are now seeing the return on our state’s investment.”
ISAT results also saw positive overall results in each assessed subject, with several highlights throughout:
- Both math and ELA saw a 0.8% overall increase in statewide proficiency
- Science scores saw a 1% overall increase in statewide proficiency
- High school test takers reversed a two-year downward trend with a 2.2% increase in proficiency in ELA and a 1.7% increase in proficiency in math
- Science proficiency increased by 2.6% and has reached a new high since the science assessment went operational in 2022
ISAT results also had bright spots in several demographic areas. Students experiencing homelessness saw a 2.2% increase in ELA scores, a 1.5% increase in math scores, and a 4% increase in science. Students in foster care also increased their overall proficiency scores with a 1.4% increase in ELA and a 3.2% increase in math. Students of military families and economically disadvantaged students have shown continued growth in all three subject areas for the past three years.
“Idaho’s students and educators are proving that when we invest in what works and give teachers the tools they need, our students rise to the challenge. These results show meaningful progress in early literacy and across the ISAT, and that is something every Idahoan can be proud of. We’ll keep building on this momentum and making smart investments that put students on the path to success,” Governor Brad Little said.
“We’ve seen the hard work our educators and students are putting in — from strong classroom instruction and programs like Math Badging and Science Coaches, to tutoring, collaboration and professional development,” said Critchfield. “Seeing that effort reflected in these scores is a strong sign that what we’re doing in Idaho is working across multiple subject areas. And as Idaho takes advantage of the U.S. Department of Education’s Returning Education to the States initiative, these results should give Idahoans confidence that we are ready to lead and make the decisions that best serve our students.”
Complete spring 2026 IRI and ISAT results are available to view on the Idaho Report Card at https://www.idahoreportcard.org/.
