Idaho Early Reading Scores Rise to 60% Proficient

Parents of Idaho kindergarten through third graders can see where their child's school stands, with kindergarten still the weakest grade.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Primary Education

Bold vector editorial illustration of an open blank picture book beside a small green potted plant on a warm surface, with pale hills in the distance. — About 60% of Idaho students in grades K-3 read at or above grade level on the fall 2025 Idaho Reading Indicator, released Monday by the state Department of Education. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you think Idaho's increased spending on early reading is paying off?

About 60% of Idaho students in grades K-3 read at or above grade level on the fall 2025 Idaho Reading Indicator, according to scores the Idaho Department of Education released Monday. The result is the highest fall proficiency percentage in at least seven years and a gain of about 3 percentage points over last fall.

Why it matters

For Idaho families, the results offer an early read on whether children are arriving at school ready to learn to read and where extra help may be needed. Kindergarten results remain the weakest point in the data, pointing to children who may need more support before first grade.

Economically disadvantaged students reached 51.8% proficiency, up four percentage points, while English language learners were at 33.8% and special education students at 32.8%. Idaho literacy funding grew from $13.1 million in 2019 to $72.8 million in 2025.

The players

Idaho Department of Education

The state agency that administers the Idaho Reading Indicator and oversees public K-12 schools across Idaho.

Amira

An AI-powered reading assessment company that developed the new version of the Idaho Reading Indicator.

The details

The fall 2025 test was the first of the new Idaho Reading Indicator, developed by Amira, an AI-powered reading assessment company, in which students read aloud to a computer. Last fall the test was given in October to give schools more time to resolve technology issues with the new exam, so this year's September administration allows a closer comparison with the prior year. Fall results are typically lower than spring results because of summer learning loss, which is one reason the baseline is measured at the start of the school year.

September 2025: Fall 2025 Idaho Reading Indicator baseline assessment administered.
October 2025: Last year's Idaho Reading Indicator was given in October because of technology issues.
September 2026: Fall 2026 Idaho Reading Indicator scheduled, the first year the new Amira version will be used.
Monday, November 2, 2026: Idaho Department of Education released the fall 2025 scores.

The Home Front

Idaho's literacy funding rose from $13.1 million in 2019 to $72.8 million in 2025, a substantial increase in state investment. The fall proficiency gain of about 3 percentage points is a modest step, and the kindergarten dip shows where early-grade challenges persist.

If you have a child in kindergarten through third grade, ask the school for their Idaho Reading Indicator results and what reading support is available at home or through the school. Plan a short daily reading routine over the summer, since fall scores often reflect learning lost over the break.

The takeaway

Idaho's gain in early reading is encouraging, but kindergarten results signal that some children start school behind. Families can help by reading together daily and asking their child's school how literacy support is being used.