East Baton Rouge Schools Celebrate Historic Progress
The East Baton Rouge (EBR) Parish School System has hit an impressive milestone. Superintendent LaMont Cole announced that the latest LEAP scores reveal the district’s strongest post-pandemic performance since 2020. Students are moving in the right direction, proving that strategic academic interventions work.
Universal Gains Across the Curriculum
This achievement does not rely on a single test or subject. Instead, EBR students improved in every core content area: English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The district tested students in 31 distinct areas, maintaining or improving performance in 27 of them. Notably, middle school social studies hit its highest level in years, while science proficiency surpassed pre-pandemic metrics. Historically underserved student populations also showed remarkable growth, with Black students outperforming the statewide average in mastery.
Elevating Accountability and Support Systems
Superintendent Cole credits this turnaround to systemic changes and hard work from educators, support staff, and students. The district recently restructured its foundational learning centers to boost third-grade reading proficiency and introduced high-dosage tutoring during the school day. Furthermore, EBR invested heavily in its people by delivering substantial pay raises to teachers, making the district the second highest-paying system in the region. Cole emphasizes that while these results justify the investments, they also raise expectations. Moving forward, the district will continue leveraging data, ramping up on-site coaching, and striving for elite excellence across all schools.