In a significant milestone for Louisiana’s education system, the state has achieved its highest-ever placement in the U.S. News & World Report Best States rankings for Pre-K through 12 education. According to the latest report, Louisiana now stands at 37th in the nation—a noteworthy improvement from last year’s position at 40th. This marks the third consecutive year that Louisiana has climbed the national ranking, underscoring a trend of steady progress in educational outcomes across the state, as per this news release from the Louisiana Department of Education.

Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana’s State Superintendent of Education, attributed this continued growth and improved national ranking to a combination of focused efforts and unified commitment. He described Louisiana as the fastest-improving state in the country when it comes to education, emphasizing that these achievements stem from deliberate planning, data-driven instruction, and the relentless dedication of teachers, students, and families throughout the state.

The U.S. News & World Report Best States rankings consider a range of indicators when evaluating Pre-K–12 education. Among these are student performance on The Nation’s Report Card (also known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress or NAEP), particularly focusing on 8th-grade achievement levels. However, the rankings also weigh other critical factors such as preschool enrollment rates, high school graduation rates, and metrics of college readiness, offering a comprehensive snapshot of state education systems.

Louisiana’s educational journey and national ranking improvement has been marked by a series of strategic reforms and targeted interventions aimed at improving outcomes for all students. Notably, the state has prioritized the implementation of the Science of Reading—a research-based approach that emphasizes phonics, fluency, and comprehension to strengthen literacy skills. In mathematics, Louisiana has undertaken efforts to refresh foundational math instruction and introduce high-dosage tutoring programs to support students who have fallen behind. In addition, the state has made strides in elevating the teaching profession and expanding educational options to empower families with more choices for their children’s learning experiences.

These efforts have begun to yield results not just in rankings, but in the day-to-day academic growth of Louisiana’s students. Earlier this year, additional national reports further validated the state’s progress. In January, Louisiana students posted their best-ever performance on The Nation’s Report Card, earning the state an overall average ranking of 32nd—an impressive leap from its 49th-place standing in 2019.

The detailed breakdown of these gains tells an even more compelling story. In 4th-grade reading, Louisiana vaulted from 50th place in 2019 to an impressive 16th in 2024. Similarly, in 4th-grade math, the state advanced from the bottom position of 50th to 38th place. For 8th-grade students, reading scores rose from 45th to 29th, while math scores improved from 49th to 43rd. Louisiana’s 4th-grade students even led the nation in reading growth for the second straight assessment cycle and secured a place among the top five states for math growth.

Furthermore, Louisiana’s 8th-grade math scores improved in a year when only 14 states posted gains in that subject area nationwide. Even more encouraging, students with disabilities and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds not only demonstrated significant progress but surpassed national averages in both achievement and growth categories.

The data mentioned throughout Louisiana’s rankings come from several nationally recognized sources. One key measure is The Nation’s Report Card, officially known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which assesses 4th and 8th-grade students in core subjects like reading and math. These scores provide a reliable,nationwide benchmark of student achievement.

By focusing on research-backed strategies like the Science of Reading and providing intensive tutoring, Louisiana has embraced proven methods to accelerate learning, particularly among historically underserved groups. These strategies, combined with a focus on teacher support and family choice, appear to be driving the state’s encouraging upward trajectory.

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