State education officials highlight Louisiana gains on NAEP; administrators say reforms and tutoring helped fourth-grade growth

Department of Education Chief Kate (Dr.) Brumley told the Senate Education Committee on March 18 that Louisiana made measurable gains on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the federal "Nation's Report Card," and that the state's sustained reforms contributed to the progress.

Brumley said Louisiana's fourth graders ranked 16th in absolute performance on the 2024 NAEP reading scale and that Louisiana posted the top growth in fourth-grade reading for the second consecutive assessment cycle (2022 and 2024). She said the state's fourth-grade math growth placed Louisiana in the top five nationally for growth. Brumley emphasized that these are absolute performance and growth measures reported on NAEP and stressed that gains do not mean the state has finished work to raise proficiency.

Brumley and department staff credited several policy and practice changes for the improvements they reported: statewide adoption of literacy practices grounded in the science of reading and phonics-based instruction in early elementary grades, expanded high-dosage tutoring during and after the pandemic, and targeted interventions for students not meeting benchmarks. Brumley noted the state has invested in teacher training, among other supports, and urged continuation of the current approach.

She said the state used federal pandemic relief (ESSER) dollars and state funds to expand tutoring: the state allocated $30 million to support in-school tutoring ("accelerate" or high-dosage tutoring) and a separate $5 million "Steve Carter" voucher program for after-school/weekend tutoring that has a current waitlist. The department reported the state used large federal allocations earlier in the recovery effort (testimony estimated between $120 and $150 million statewide) in support of tutoring and learning recovery efforts. The department and BESE asked the legislature to continue funding for tutoring in the current budget cycle.

Brumley acknowledged the gap between fourth- and eighth-grade results, telling senators that eighth graders were more affected by pandemic disruptions and that reforms reached cohorts now in fourth grade earlier in their schooling. She said Louisiana posted gains for students with disabilities across NAEP content areas and that economically disadvantaged students in Louisiana outperformed like peers nationally in several grade/content combinations.

Committee members asked detailed questions about the tutoring programs, how the department defines and monitors "instruction" spending, and what the early childhood seat counts are. Brumley said the state has a mix of federal grants and state allocations in place and that BESE and the department are monitoring implementation and reporting back to the legislature. Several legislators asked for one-page summaries of the literacy and numeracy reforms; Brumley said she would provide follow-up materials to the committee.

The NAEP presentation lasted the bulk of the committee session and prompted discussion about sustaining funding for tutoring, expanding adult and teacher supports, and targeting middle-school math. Brumley said the state is building a stronger math strategy modeled on the literacy reforms and highlighted statutory and rule changes enacted to train teachers and require math screeners where appropriate.

Notes: The department presented technical NAEP graphics and trend charts showing 2013'024 performance and emphasized both growth metrics and absolute performance; details and the department's presentation materials were distributed to committee members.