Indiana is pouring 110-million dollars in federal pandemic relief into schools.
Secretary of Education Katie Jenner says preliminary data indicate ILEARN reading and math scores coming out next month will show a steep drop in the passing rate.
She says the ability to read well by the end of third grade is one of the sharpest dividing lines for future success.
Jenner says the state will invest in new research-based programs to close that gap.
The state has already awarded grants for programs to address learning loss related to the pandemic.
Jenner says the department will target specific schools for extra math and science help.
In addition, the state will emphasize skills needed in the workplace from fourth grade through middle school.
