LOUISIANA K-3 READING SCORES IMPROVE

Kindergarten students improve over 20 points following first year of phonics-based literacy instruction

(BATON ROUGE, LA) - The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) 2024 Fall Reading Report shows sustained progress among the youngest learners. Louisiana K-3 students improved their reading proficiency by 2.3 percentage points on a literacy screener given at the beginning of this school year. Student cohort data also showed a 9.3 percentage point increase, with 2023's kindergarten class growing by 20.4 points in 2024 as first graders.

"Louisiana students are benefitting from quality instruction, sound policy, and a return to basic fundamentals like phonics," said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. "We're seeing encouraging growth and must take advantage of this opportunity to continue aligning our state around what we know is best for students and teachers."

The Fall Reading Report uses data from the beginning of year literacy screener. Louisiana measures K-3 reading proficiency through screeners given at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, results from the literacy screeners will be included in school performance scores.

2024 K-3 Reading Scores Up

The overall proficiency rate improved for grades K-3 by 2.3 percentage points to 46.9 when comparing 2023 to 2024. First grade grew by 4 to 49.9, second grade by 3.8 to a 54.5, and third grade by 2.4 to a 54. Students entering kindergarten declined when compared to last year's class by 1.1 to a 28.4. Since this data is from the beginning of the school year, kindergartener data sets a baseline of their reading proficiency prior to beginning K-12 education and receiving instruction.

Last Year's Kindergarteners Up 20 points as First Graders

After receiving a full year of instruction, the 2023 kindergarten class improved by 20.4 percentage points in 2024 as first graders. Student cohort data also increased across the board. Last year's first graders improved by 8.6 points as second graders and last year's second graders improved by 3.3 points as third graders.

End-of-Year Screener May Impact Third Grade Promotion

This is the first school year third grade students may be held back based on their scores on end of year screeners. Students will be given three opportunities to score above the lowest achievement level - Well Below. This includes the end of year screener in April, a second opportunity at the end of May, and a third opportunity following optional summer learning. Third grade students who are at risk of retention may be eligible for a good cause exemption. Some of these exemptions include students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency.

To support school systems with the implementation of this state law, the LDOE has developed guidance as well as resources to help schools inform parents such as an informational flyer and sample letter to parents.

Latest Positive Trend for Louisiana Education

Louisiana has made considerable progress since launching its comprehensive literacy plan.

• A report released earlier this month ranks Louisiana education No. 4 in the nation, including No. 2 for second grade reading and No. 4 for fourth grade reading.
• Louisiana K-3 reading scores jumped 10 points in 2023-2024.
• Louisiana ranked at the top of a national list recognizing states for adopting a comprehensive early literacy policy.
• Harvard and Stanford's Education Recovery Scorecard found that Louisiana is one of only three states where average reading achievement in 2023 was above 2019 levels.
• Louisiana's 4th graders were No. 1 in the nation for reading growth and economically disadvantaged 4th graders improved from 42nd to 11th overall for reading proficiency on The Nation's Report Card.

About Louisiana's K-3 Literacy Screener

All Louisiana public school students in grades K-3 are required to complete literacy screeners. These assessments, which increase in difficulty from beginning to end of year, provide teachers with real-time data to support students during their foundational years in school.

This is the second year the LDOE is administering one universal literacy screener to students in grades K-3. The screeners are given through a secure administration and measure skills predictive to reading success as a student progresses through school. Student scores are reported as Well Above Level, On Level, Below Level, or Well Below Level.

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