Louisiana students in grades K-3 have made remarkable strides in their reading proficiency, with a significant 10 percentage point increase on the state’s inaugural universal literacy screener, as per this new release from the Louisiana Department of Education. The proportion of K-3 students reading at grade level soared from 44.6% at the beginning of the school year to 54.6% by the end of the year. This data, derived from the 2023-2024 academic year, establishes a new baseline for tracking progress in the years to come.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley expressed his optimism regarding this achievement. He emphasized that the improvement reflects the dedication of Louisiana’s educators to equipping students with essential educational foundations. Dr. Brumley highlighted the critical nature of early elementary education, stating that these formative years are pivotal for a student’s academic success. He further noted that the new screener serves as a valuable tool for identifying where support is needed, whether at the individual student level, within schools, or across the broader educational system.

The overall 10% increase in students reading at grade level from the beginning to the end of the year is particularly noteworthy. Kindergarten and first-grade students exhibited significant gains, with 27% more kindergarteners and 14% more first graders reaching grade-level reading standards by year’s end. For those interested in a deeper dive into the data, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) has made detailed information available in the K-3 Spring Reading Report PDF. Additionally, literacy screener results by school system and individual schools for spring 2024and fall 2023 can be accessed online.

All public school students in Louisiana from kindergarten through third grade are required to complete literacy screeners. These assessments, which increase in difficulty as the year progresses, provide teachers with timely data to support students during these critical formative years. This approach ensures that interventions can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each student, thereby enhancing their chances of academic success.

Since the launch of its comprehensive literacy plan in 2021, Louisiana has made substantial progress in improving reading outcomes. The Education Recovery Scorecard revealed that Louisiana is one of only three states where average reading achievement in 2023 surpassed 2019 levels. Notably, Louisiana’s fourth graders ranked first in the nation for reading growth on The Nation’s Report Card. Furthermore, economically disadvantaged fourth graders showed remarkable improvement, moving from 42nd to 11th place overall in reading proficiency between 2019 and 2022.

Louisiana’s literacy initiatives have garnered national recognition for their bold and effective policies. The non-profit education organization ExcelinEd praised Louisiana as one of only three states to implement all 18 of its early literacy fundamental principles. These principles include a universal screener for K-3 students and comprehensive science of reading training for all K-3 teachers.

Dr. Jenna Chiasson, Deputy Superintendent, remarked on the significance of the first full year of implementing these key literacy policies. She expressed confidence in the potential for continued reading progress and highlighted similar policy shifts in math aimed at accelerating student outcomes.

The 2023-2024 school year marks the first time the LDOE has administered a universal literacy screener to students in grades K-3. These assessments offer educators critical insights into students’ reading levels and their progress in acquiring essential reading skills. The screeners, administered securely, measure skills predictive of future reading success. Student performance is categorized as Well Above Level, On Level, Below Level, or Well Below Level.

In conclusion, the substantial improvement in Louisiana’s K-3 reading scores is a testament to the effectiveness of targeted educational policies and the dedication of teachers. This progress not only sets a new standard for literacy in the state but also serves as a foundation for future educational advancements.

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