Show notes
In this episode of Education Matters, Greg Harrell breaks down Indiana’s latest iLearn results, explaining the transition to a new system of ongoing checkpoints and how this change marks 2026 as a new baseline for measuring student achievement. The discussion covers shifts in assessment, the impact on students and schools, private school performance, and how parents and teachers can use more frequent data to support student success.
Episode Highlights
What is iLearn?
Greg Harrell explains that iLearn is Indiana’s statewide assessment for grades 3–8, covering math, English, science, and social studies. The test informs both state and federal accountability efforts.
New Checkpoints System
iLearn now features three checkpoints spread across the academic year instead of a single end-of-year test. This gives families and teachers real-time, actionable data to better support student progress.
2026: A New Baseline
Changes to test format and standards mean the 2026 results should not be directly compared to past years. This year sets a new foundation for monitoring success and guiding interventions.
Statewide Results
42% of students were proficient in English and 43% in math, highlighting both progress and the ongoing need for improvement in certain areas.
Improving with Data
Greg Harrell shares how better, faster data helped reduce the number of 3rd graders struggling to read—from 15,000 to 9,000—with targeted support and suggests similar approaches for math.
Insights for Parents
Parents now get more timely information about their child’s learning. Greg Harrell encourages families to check school data, engage with schools, and seek help as needed.
Educator Questions & Math Trends
With detailed data, educators can focus on closing achievement gaps—like lower math proficiency in higher grades—and advocate for more investment in math, similar to successful efforts in literacy.
Private School Performance
More than 225 non-public schools outperformed the state average in English language arts, and 7 of the top 10 schools were non-public, including 6 SGO scholarship partners.
Key Takeaway
The 2026 iLearn results set a new baseline for Indiana education. With more frequent checkpoints and faster, more actionable reporting, Greg Harrell urges parents to stay engaged, use the data, and collaborate with schools to foster meaningful progress for every student.
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