Louisiana schools are back in session, marking the start of what State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley calls the “golden age of education” in the state. Recent academic metrics show Louisiana leading the nation in academic growth over the last four years, climbing from 49th to 32nd on the Nation’s Report Card.
Refocusing on Classroom Basics The state’s progress stems from a renewed focus on foundational skills, specifically literacy and numeracy. Early childhood reading screeners revealed a 16-point increase in student proficiency from the beginning to the end of the previous school year. Furthermore, overall K–3 reading proficiency saw a 2-point year-over-year improvement. On the LEAP assessments, 36% of students achieved mastery or above—the highest percentage in Louisiana’s history.
Protecting Learning Time for Teachers To sustain this momentum, Dr. Brumley emphasizes the “Let Teachers Teach” initiative. A recent directive sent to school system leaders reinforces the necessity of maintaining peaceful, orderly learning environments. Key measures include:
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Enforcing statewide bans on student cell phone use during the academic day.
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Addressing persistent behavioral disruptions and defining strict policies against bullying.
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Streamlining administrative paperwork and reducing redundant annual teacher training requirements.
Supporting and Retaining Educator Talent Improving classroom discipline and reducing non-instructional burdens have directly supported teacher retention. Over the past several years, statewide teacher vacancies decreased by half, while year-over-year teacher retention reached approximately 90%. State leaders continue to prioritize competitive compensation, ensuring every teacher receives an additional stipend or salary increase to maintain high-quality instruction across all parishes.