(Boise, ID) The Idaho Department of Education has selected Istation, now known as Amira Learning, as the approved vendor for the administration of the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI). An updated version of the test will feature advanced tools and resources, including elements that will assist instructors in effectively identifying and assessing students with dyslexia.
Idaho Code 33-1806 mandates that Idaho’s public school students in kindergarten, first, second and third grades take the test twice a year. It is administered in the fall and again in the spring. The code also lays out the department’s role in administering the test. This role includes selecting an external vendor to provide the assessment.
Istation was selected following a 2024 Request for Proposal (RFP) in which the department sought bids from various companies ahead of the expiration of the current IRI vendor contract. The RFP process occurred after the department invited feedback on the assessment via a survey and heard from nearly 2,000 stakeholders. The new contract is for up to five years.
Texas-based Istation merged with Amira Learning in 2024 and is positioned to offer improvements and advancements in both technological features and content.
“The combined experience and expertise offered by Istation and Amira Learning will offer our classrooms the consistency and proven effectiveness of the current IRI test along with updates and improvements that align with the changing needs of Idaho’s students,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield. “This partnership allows us to address the evolving nature of student assessment in Idaho.”
Notable updates to the assessment include the addition of a fluency section that ensures students have the necessary skills for real-world reading and writing. The test also includes changes that will assist in the assessment of students with dyslexia through the addition of a required Rapid Automized Naming (RAN) section to measure reading processing speed.
“Equipping educators to address dyslexia has been an ongoing priority for the department, and earlier identification means more students will benefit from appropriate interventions and assistance,” said Critchfield. “The updated IRI will allow for more accurate identification of students who may be struggling. More broadly, I am proud of the fact that Idaho is one of only a handful of states that monitors statewide growth and achievement for all of its earliest learners.”
The current version of the IRI assessment will remain in place for the 2024-25 school year. Then, the department will work closely with districts and charters to transition to the updated platform. The department’s Assessment and Accountability team will share details with local educators on training opportunities, implementation timelines and available resources in the coming months.
