Acadia Parish board adopts 2025–26 pupil progression changes for first grade promotion

The Acadia Parish School Board approved the district’s 2025–26 Pupil Progression Plan after district staff described limited changes required by the Louisiana Department of Education and a local revision to first-grade promotion criteria. District staff member Mister Bavino summarized the changes, saying the LDOE “reorganized the chart and added two sections” and that the district incorporated those state-level changes. Bavino said the district revised local language for first grade so that students must “pass English and math” to be considered for promotion; the previous wording allowed passing either math or English-language arts. Bavino and other speakers clarified that the school-based Student-Based Level Committee (SBLC) retains authority to review the data and make the final promotion or retention recommendation, including when a student does not meet both subject benchmarks. As Bavino said, "the SBLC has the ability to review that decision to promote or retain based on the academic data." Board members asked for clarification that the new first-grade standard applies only to first grade; district staff confirmed the change is specific to first grade. A motion to approve the plan was made and seconded; the board recorded the vote as “ayes have it” and the motion carried. District staff noted the LDOE also added civics requirements at the high school level, which the district incorporated into its local policy boxes (local policy sections) for high school programs. What happens next: The approved pupil progression plan will guide promotion and retention reviews for the 2025–26 school year; SBLC reviews at the school level will continue to weigh multiple measures when making final promotion decisions.