Standardized testing season is approaching, and for many Gary students, the stakes are high.

Students who don’t pass Indiana’s standardized exams face additional studying requirements or are required to take summer school, but for third-graders, the consequences are even more severe. Those who fail the state’s reading assessment risk being held back and required to repeat third grade.

Recent results from Indiana’s third-grade reading assessment highlight racial disparities in test performance: 88.3% of white students and 86.3% of Asian students passed, compared with just 68.6% of Black and Hispanic students, according to Indiana Department of Education testing data.

The push for tutoring comes as three standardized tests mandated by the department are on the horizon for students. The state uses IREAD-3 to determine whether third-graders meet its literacy benchmarks before advancing to fourth grade. ISPROUT is used to assess kindergarten readiness based on early learning development. ILEARN, taken by students in grades 3-8, is the department’s tool for measuring proficiency in English, math, science, and social studies.

To help students and parents prepare, the following is a list of tutoring resources across the Gary area.

Key standardized test dates for Gary students in 2025

  • IREAD-3: March 31 & May 30
  • ISPROUT: April 14 & May 9
  • ILEARN: April 14 & May 16

Tutoring resources in Gary and Northwest Indiana

  • City Life Center
    225 W. Fifth Ave., Gary
    (210) 880-4851
    *Includes after school homework assistance
  • Gary Literacy Coalition
    650 Grant St., Suite 8, Gary
    (219) 885-2229
    *Does not provide tutoring but serves as a resource for parents, connecting them to tutoring, homework help, and educational programs across Northwest Indiana.

Derreka Rollins is the Community Engagement Editor at Capital B Gary. Contact Derreka at derreka.rollins@capitalbnews.org