BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) today announced that 50 percent of K–3 students are now reading on or above grade level, a 3-point increase from last year. Third grade showed the largest gain with a 5-point increase.
“These gains are a result of Louisiana’s dedicated teachers,” said State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “We must continue building strong foundations for all students.”
The results come from Louisiana’s beginning-of-year literacy screener, now in its third year. Aligned with the science of reading, the assessment helps educators identify students in need of support early in the year.
“Our goal is to help every student become a proficient reader,” said Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson. “This data guides targeted support like high-dosage tutoring to ensure students get the instruction they need.”
Since 2019, Louisiana has risen from 50th to 16th in the nation for fourth-grade reading, led the nation in growth on The Nation’s Report Card, and ranked No. 1 for reading on the Education Recovery Scorecard. Key strategies include phonics-based instruction, universal K–3 screening, and strong parent engagement.
About the K–3 Literacy Screener:
All K–3 students are screened three times per year. Results help teachers intervene early and support students’ reading growth.