In a significant move to elevate educational standards, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) has unveiled a comprehensive plan titled Grow.Achieve.Thrive, as per this news release from LDOE. This plan, approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), is set to transform the state’s K-12 accountability system starting from the 2025-26 academic year. The goal is to not only enhance academic success but also to place greater emphasis on career education, making it simpler for the public to assess school performance.

The Grow.Achieve.Thrive. initiative rests on three pivotal drivers: simplicity and transparency, high expectations, and a focus on career and college readiness. A hallmark of the new system is its simplicity and transparency, achieved through the implementation of a 100-point grading scale. This scale is designed to provide a clear and straightforward method for evaluating school performance, ensuring that stakeholders can easily interpret the results.

The plan sets higher academic expectations by raising the bar for student outcomes. The objective is to drive performance to unprecedented levels, pushing students to achieve greater academic success across all core subjects. Emphasizing career education and college preparation, the plan ensures that students are ready for the next steps after high school, whether that involves higher education, entering the workforce, or military service.

Dr. Cade Brumley, the Louisiana State Superintendent of Education, highlighted the dedication and effort behind the accountability plan. He emphasized that the revised system is the result of three years of concerted efforts aimed at elevating educational expectations. According to Brumley, this new system will not only drive performance to new heights but also offer the public a clearer understanding of school quality.

BESE President Ronnie Morris echoed this sentiment, noting that K-12 education in Louisiana is moving in a positive direction. He stated that the new, simplified standard for measuring school performance will bolster this momentum. By focusing on core skill development, academic growth, and work-based learning opportunities, the new accountability measures will strengthen Louisiana’s educational foundation and unlock meaningful opportunities for more students.

The name Grow.Achieve.Thrive. is derived from the three core student expectations: growth, achievement, and thriving beyond high school.

Grow: The ‘Grow’ component focuses on measuring the number of students who show academic growth in math and English each year. Special attention is given to the lowest-achieving students and those learning English, ensuring they receive the necessary support to progress.

Achieve: Under ‘Achieve,’ schools are evaluated based on the number of students who achieve proficiency in math, English, science, and social studies. This component underscores the importance of a well-rounded education in core academic subjects.

Thrive: The ‘Thrive’ aspect measures high schools by the number of students graduating on time, demonstrating readiness on nationally recognized exams, and preparing for future endeavors by earning college credits or high-value career credentials coupled with work experience.

The Grow.Achieve.Thrive. plan will be fully implemented in the 2025-26 school year. However, to prepare schools and systems for this transition, simulated scores will be provided for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years. This approach allows schools to adapt to the new system and make necessary adjustments ahead of its official launch.

Louisiana’s Accountability Scorecard will play a crucial role in this new system, incorporating foundational elements essential to student success. These elements will be averaged to produce a comprehensive score for each school and system, reflecting their performance across multiple dimensions.

The Grow.Achieve.Thrive. plan marks a significant step forward for Louisiana’s educational system. By setting higher expectations and focusing on transparency, academic growth, and career readiness, the state is laying a strong foundation for future success. This initiative promises to provide students with the skills and opportunities they need to excel in their academic and professional lives.

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