NEW ORLEANS - In a remarkable achievement, Louisiana students have reached their highest national rankings to date, excelling across all grades and subjects in the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), commonly known as The Nation's Report Card. According to the Louisiana Department of Education, the state's overall ranking improved from 46th to 42nd among the states.
Notably, Louisiana's fourth graders led the nation in reading growth, with economically disadvantaged fourth graders improving from 42nd to 11th in reading proficiency.
These accomplishments have also been recognized in broader educational evaluations. U.S. News & World Report elevated Louisiana's K-12 education ranking from 46th to 40th, marking the state's highest position ever in this national publication.
These milestones reflect the dedication and hard work of Louisiana's educators, students, and families. The state's commitment to educational improvement continues to yield positive outcomes, setting a promising trajectory for the future.
On a national level, the 2024 NAEP results indicate that students are still grappling with reading proficiency, with little improvement in mathematics since the previous assessment. Higher-performing students have shown some recovery, but lower-performing students are falling further behind, exacerbating educational disparities. The 2024 exam, which assessed fourth and eighth graders, highlighted a particular decline in reading skills, with one-third of eighth graders performing below basic levels.
In contrast, Louisiana was the only state to surpass pre-pandemic reading levels in the 2024 NAEP assessment.
Louisiana implemented several programs aimed at enhancing reading and English proficiency including the Steve Carter Literacy Tutoring Program named in honor of the late Baton Rouge State Representative Steve Carter. The program provides eligible K-5 public school students with access to high-quality literacy tutors. Louisiana also offers the English Learner Program providing classroom support and specialized programs.
Louisiana's commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education has played a significant role in enhancing math proficiency. A key component of Louisiana's strategy is the adoption of the Zearn Math program, an online learning platform designed to provide individualized support to students. A study analyzing data from over 14,000 elementary and middle school students across 31 Louisiana parishes found that those who completed at least three Zearn Math lessons per week scored, on average, 6.3 points higher on the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) math assessment compared to their peers who used the program less frequently. The impact was particularly significant for students who began the year below proficiency levels, with these students achieving 1.5 to 2.0 years of math learning in a single academic year.
The Louisiana Department of Education, the Board of Regents, the LaSTEM Advisory Council, and the Governor’s office have also boosted math results with the Louisiana STEM Pathways program. This initiative offers specialized sequences of courses that integrate STEM disciplines and emphasize essential skills such as problem-solving.
STEM NOLA, for example, leads STEM-based activities, programs and events for K-12 students that provide unique interactive, hands-on learning experiences allowing learners of all ages to deepen their knowledge in STEM studies. Following the overwhelming success of the first three B2I STEM Fests in the River Parishes and Jefferson Parish, STEM NOLA is holding the final Bridge 2 Innovation (B2I) STEM Fest on Feb. 1 in New Orleans.
These efforts underscore Louisiana's dedication to advancing STEM education which has been instrumental in boosting math achievement across the state.
Louisiana's educational progress serves as a beacon amid national challenges, reflecting the state's commitment to enhancing student outcomes and the effectiveness of its educational policies.
