Louisiana's K-12 education improves in national rankings
Published on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 3:12 p.m.
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Louisiana's K-12 education has improved in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best States rankings. Louisiana's pre-K through 12th grade education rose from 41st to 40th, making it the highest-ranking state in this national index. This comes a year after Louisiana's K-12 education moved up five spots in the same ranking.
“This positive growth is a reflection of the hard work of our students and teachers,” said Louisiana State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “While we are encouraged, we also recognize that we still have much work to do to provide a high-quality education for all students.”
Louisiana is making bold policy decisions that support the state's fundamental shift in how students are taught to read, an emphasis on foundational math skills, an emphasis on career and college readiness, and a back-to-basics approach to education. I have benefited from this.
“Louisiana's steady rise in this ranking is a testament to the hard work of our educators and our unwavering focus on positive outcomes for our students,” said BESE President Lonnie Morris. It reflects that.” “The consistent progress we are seeing in measuring K-12 performance confirms that our state is on the right track and that educators are essential to fostering success.” , policy makers, and stakeholders. To maintain this momentum, we must continue to work together to support the good work of students and schools. ”
This is the latest data showing the continued progress of Louisiana students.
- Louisiana is one of three states with average reading scores in 2023 above 2019 levels.
- Louisiana ranks atop a national list recognizing states that have implemented comprehensive early literacy policies to provide students with the foundational reading skills to learn, graduate and succeed.
- Louisiana surpassed pre-pandemic school performance scores after several consecutive years of growth.
- Louisiana high school students achieved record scores on Advanced Placement tests.
- Louisiana's 2023 senior class recorded an annual increase in average ACT for the first time since 2017, despite a decline in the national average.
- Louisiana students improved their scores for the second year in a row, with 75% of school systems improving on the 2023 LEAP.
- Louisiana fourth graders lead the nation in reading growth, with the state's overall ranking in NAEP increasing from 46th to 42nd among states from 2019 to 2022.
US News & World Report Pre-K-12 Rankings provides Best States rankings. It measures a state's performance across the educational lifecycle of young people, including preschool enrollment, eighth-grade standardized test scores, high school graduation rates, and college readiness.