BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) has announced encouraging results from the beginning-of-year literacy screener for kindergarten through third grade students. According to the 2025 data, 50 percent of K–3 students are now reading on or above grade level, marking the second consecutive year of statewide improvement and the highest proficiency rate since assessments began in 2023–2024.
Continued Progress Across Grades
The latest results show growth in every elementary grade:
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Third grade saw the largest improvement, rising 5 percentage points from fall 2024.
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Second grade increased by 4 points, first grade by 2, and kindergarten by 1.
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Overall, 56 percent of students in grades 1–3 met the proficiency benchmark.
“These gains are a result of Louisiana’s dedicated teachers,” said State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “We must stay the course and continue building strong foundations for all students.”
Data Drives Early Support
The literacy screener, now in its third year of statewide use, is aligned with the science of reading and helps educators identify students who need additional support early in the school year.
“Our goal is to help every student become a proficient reader,” said Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson. “This data serves as a roadmap to tailor support such as high-dosage tutoring to ensure students receive the instruction they need.”
Louisiana’s Reading Revival
Louisiana’s literacy efforts continue to draw national attention. The state now ranks 16th in the nation for 4th grade reading on The Nation’s Report Card—a dramatic improvement from 50th place in 2019.
Key components of the state’s comprehensive literacy strategy include:
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Science of reading–aligned instruction: A phonics-based approach that reshaped reading instruction and equipped educators with evidence-based tools.
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High-dosage tutoring: Intensive, research-backed support for students who need additional help.
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Parent engagement: Statewide initiatives to equip families with resources to support reading at home.
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Strong policy foundation: Legislation such as Acts 520 and 517 (2022) established a universal K–3 literacy screener and mandated research-based materials. Bulletin 741 requires that all students are screened three times annually to identify and address reading gaps early.
With momentum building, Louisiana education leaders say they will continue investing in teachers, tutoring, and family partnerships to ensure every child becomes a confident, capable reader.
