Blog | July 22, 2024

ILEARN 2024: Indianapolis charter schools drive learning recovery 

Last Wednesday, the Indiana Department of Education released 2024 ILEARN results. At The Mind Trust, we believe analyzing results for the ILEARN assessment, taken each spring by Indiana students in grades 3-8, can help our community understand how well schools are serving students and families.

For individual students, ILEARN results should be used as a tool for families and educators to understand what concepts they’ve mastered and where they need additional support. For more information on the ILEARN, visit this website for frequently asked questions about the assessment. 

Statewide: ILEARN Proficiency Remains Flat

Statewide ILEARN proficiency rates were disappointingly flat when compared to the previous year. The overall statewide proficiency rate remained steady, increasing by 0.2 percentage points to 30.8%. Other student groups saw similar flat proficiency rates: 

  • Statewide proficiency for Black students increased by 0.8 percentage points to 11.7%. 
  • Statewide proficiency for Latino students very slightly decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 17.3%. 
  • Statewide proficiency for low-income students increased by 0.5 percentage points to 18.1%.

Since 2021, combined statewide proficiency has improved by 2.2 points. These three-year gains mean that Hoosier students, on average, have only gained back about 25% of the proficiency decrease that occurred between the 2019 and 2021 ILEARN assessments. At this rate, it will take our state many more years to merely reach 2019 proficiency levels, which were already way too low.

Indianapolis: Charter schools make larger proficiency gains than local, state averages 

Since 2021, Indianapolis charter schools have made larger proficiency improvements across all student groups, surpassing averages for Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), Marion County township districts, and the state as a whole. This holds true for math, English Language Arts (ELA), and combined proficiency rates. 

  • Black students in independent charter schools now outperform ten of the 11 Marion County districts in both math and ELA. 
  • Black students in independent charter schools have made larger proficiency gains since 2021 than all 11 Marion County districts.
  • Latino students in independent charter schools now outperform nine of the 11 Marion County districts in both math and ELA. 

Since 2021, charter schools in Indianapolis have improved on the ILEARN by 7.2 points in math and 3.9 points in ELA. During that same time, Black charter students improved by 7.7 points in math and 6.4 points in ELA. English language learners in charters have improved by 9.8 points in math and 6.3 points in ELA. Low-income charter students improved by 9.2 points in math and 6.0 points in ELA. 

Depending on the subject and student group, Indianapolis charter students have gained back the majority of the proficiency decrease that occurred between 2019 and 2021. Gaps along racial and socioeconomic lines have also narrowed during that time, bucking national trends.

  • Black students attending independent charter schools are 3x more likely to be proficient than Black students in district-run IPS schools.
  • Latino students attending independent charter schools are 2x more likely to be proficient than Latino students in district-run IPS schools.

Multiple Indianapolis charter and innovation schools rank on top locally, statewide

Once again, charter and innovation schools in Indianapolis are some of the highest performing schools in the city and state. 

  • For Black students, 11 of the top 15 public schools within IPS boundaries are charter and innovation schools. 
  • For Latino students, 10 of the top 15 public schools within IPS boundaries are charter and innovation schools. 
  • Combined proficiency for Black students in innovation restart schools, which are in turnaround due to historically low-performance as district-run schools, is now higher than in the Center for Inquiry network of magnet schools.

A few charter schools are leaders in ILEARN proficiency rates in Marion County and statewide: 

  • For Black students, Indiana Math and Science Academy West surpassed the math proficiency rates of every Indiana district except one.
  • For Black students, proficiency rates at two charter schools, Indiana Math and Science Academy West and Paramount Brookside, surpass the rates at IPS’ test-in school for gifted students.
  • For Latino students, Paramount Cottage Home surpassed the proficiency rates at IPS’ test-in gifted school.
  • For Black students, Paramount Brookside and Paramount Cottage Home surpassed the math proficiency rates for every Indiana district except two.

Measuring data to drive continued proficiency gains

While it is heartening to see bright spots in this year’s ILEARN data, the flat statewide and local results are also a cause for concern. As part of our management of the Indiana Learns statewide math and ELA tutoring program, we are engaging with an external research team to understand the impact of the program. We hope to gain insights into the impact of high-dosage tutoring and develop strategies to sustain academic interventions with a proven track record of success.

The Mind Trust is grateful to the continued dedication of educators, community organizations, and families across the state who are working to create better outcomes for all Hoosier students. We believe together we can address the urgent need to ensure every student has access to life-changing education opportunities. 

More education news: Read The Mind Trust’s analysis of Indiana’s 2024 SAT results.

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