Tag: Nation’s Report Card

Louisiana Achieves Record-Breaking National Ranking in Education

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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Louisiana Education Shines Nationally: Fourth Place in New Study

The Louisiana education system has achieved remarkable progress, ranking fourth nationally in a newly revisited study based on the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often called the Nation’s Report Card, as per this new release from The Louisiana Department of Education. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy as it represents a significant leap from the state’s 20th-place ranking in a similar analysis from 2019. The report highlights Louisiana’s commitment to improving education outcomes while addressing demographic factors that impact student performance.

The study, conducted by the Urban Institute, adjusts NAEP scores based on demographic variables such as income levels, ethnicity, language barriers, and exceptionalities. This method aims to provide a clearer picture of how well states are supporting their students relative to those with similar challenges. Published since 2015, this analysis offers a nuanced understanding of educational performance across the nation, emphasizing growth and equity.

The 2022 NAEP marked the first time the assessment was administered since 2019, after being paused due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. This return provided a critical opportunity to measure how states have rebounded in key academic areas. Louisiana’s adjusted ranking of fourth overall reflects a strong recovery and targeted efforts to support students and teachers. The results highlight Louisiana’s ability to make strides not only in overall performance but also in closing achievement gaps for underserved populations.

The NAEP results align with other indicators of Louisiana’s educational success. A joint study by Harvard and Stanford noted that Louisiana’s reading scores in 2023 were higher than in 2019, making it one of only three states to achieve this milestone. The study also praised Louisiana’s math recovery, which surpassed national trends.

Additionally, the state moved from 46th to 40th in U.S. News & World Report’s Best States rankings for PK-12 education, reflecting improvements across multiple metrics. Louisiana has also seen three consecutive years of growth in its school performance scores, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and reaching a new statewide high under the current evaluation system.

Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana’s State Superintendent of Education, credited a “back-to-basics” approach for these achievements. He explained that the state’s efforts to support teachers and focus on fundamental student outcomes have driven this progress. However, he emphasized that there is still work to be done, noting that Louisiana is committed to making bold decisions to sustain and accelerate its upward trajectory.

One area of focus has been early literacy. Louisiana ranked first in a national list recognizing states with comprehensive policies to promote foundational reading skills. These policies aim to ensure students can achieve academic success and reach their full potential.

The Nation’s Report Card serves as the most comprehensive and representative assessment of student performance in the United States. Administered biennially since 2003, it evaluates fourth and eighth graders in reading and math. As the “gold standard” of student assessments, NAEP provides valuable insights into how well states prepare their students for future academic and professional success.

While the 2022 NAEP showed troubling declines in many states due to the pandemic, Louisiana stood out by avoiding dramatic losses and achieving notable growth. These results highlight the resilience of Louisiana’s students and educators, as well as the effectiveness of targeted policies and interventions. With the next NAEP assessment scheduled for 2024 and results expected in early 2025, Louisiana has an opportunity to build on its recent successes. Continued investment in teacher support, literacy initiatives, and equitable resources will be critical to maintaining this momentum.

Louisiana’s rise in national rankings demonstrates the power of focused, data-driven strategies in transforming education systems. By addressing demographic challenges head-on and prioritizing foundational skills, the state is paving the way for sustained academic growth and opportunity for all students.

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