The ability to read and write is something that most people take for granted, but in Louisiana, illiteracy is a widespread problem. According to the Louisiana Department of Education’s 2023 Fall Reading Report, 70.5 percent of Kindergarten students were below reading level, and 55 percent of children in grades K-3 were below reading level. In a state with a literacy rate of 72.9 percent, these findings are problematic and raise a lot of concern for the state of education in Louisiana.

In recent years, Louisiana has made significant strides in improving literacy across its schools, focusing on early education and implementing comprehensive strategies to address literacy challenges. The state’s approach encompasses legislative actions, target interventions, and the engagement of educators and parents to enhance reading skills among students, particularly those in early grades.

COVID-19 AND LITERACY GAPS
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on literacy development, particularly for students in the early grades. Data indicates that children who were three and four years old during the height of the pandemic experienced significant disruptions in early language development due to reduced access to early care, less interaction with peers, and limited exposure to enriching environments. As a result, second and third graders, who were particularly affected, have shown slower progress in literacy compared to younger students who were less impacted.

LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES IN ACTION
Since 2021, the legislature has passed many laws concerning literacy education. Louisiana state officials and policymakers have worked to increase literacy support throughout the state through these acts:

Act 108 Regular Legislative Session
requires early literacy training for K-3 teachers of reading, math, science, and/or social studies, including special education teachers, and principals and assistant principals of schools that include
grades K-3.

Act 438 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session requires coursework in teacher preparation programs specific to the teaching of reading and literacy.

Act 448 of the 2022 Regular Legislative Session requires kindergarten through third-grade teachers seeking initial licensure to pass an examination of the teaching of reading that is scientifically researched and evidence-based.

One of the most impactful legislative measures has been the introduction of mandatory Science of Reading (SOR) training for kindergarten through third-grade teachers and school leaders. The Science of Reading is an evidence-based approach that emphasizes phonics and systematic instruction in decoding words. Prior to this legislation, Louisiana educators employed various, sometimes inconsistent, methodologies to teach reading, leading to uneven outcomes. The 2021 legislation mandated SOR training, ensuring that teachers across the state are equipped with a unified and research-backed strategy to improve literacy.

Dr. Jenna Chiasson, Assistant State Superintendent of the Louisiana Board of Education, states, “We’re really showing some signs of incremental progress with literacy, especially in our lowest grade levels.” She believes that one of the biggest impacts on Louisiana’s literacy has been thanks to our state’s legislation. “Some of the things that have been passed in legislation that I think have really had an impact already and will have an impact for years to come, include things like a required Science of Reading (SOR) training for our kindergarten through third-grade teachers and leaders.”

The state has also established a statewide literacy screener, introduced for the first time in the 2023-2024 academic year. This tool assesses students in kindergarten through third grade three times a year—beginning, middle, and end of year—to monitor reading progress and identify learning gaps. The screener provides valuable data for educators, allowing them to tailor instruction to meet individual student needs and address literacy challenges promptly.

Finally, one of the latest updates in legislation has introduced a policy for third-grade retention based on literacy performance. Starting this school year, students performing at the lowest level on the end-of-year third-grade literacy screener are at risk of being retained in third grade. The policy outlines provisions for good cause exemptions and mandates intensive interventions for students retained in third grade. This measure aims to ensure that students develop necessary reading skills before advancing to fourth grade.

ONGOING LITERACY SUPPORT
In addition to legislative measures, Louisiana has invested in literacy coaching to support teachers in implementing effective reading strategies. The state has deployed approximately 300 school-based literacy coaches who work directly with teachers and school leaders to enhance their instructional practices.

Another way students can receive support is through literacy tutoring. One such initiative is the Steve Carter Tutoring Program, which provides parents with vouchers for free tutoring services. Each tutor is screened through the system to ensure competency and expertise in various subjects. According to Kezne Cook, parent of four, Steve Carter has helped bridge the literacy gap that her oldest child experienced as a result from the COVID-19 pandemic. She states, “During COVID-19, my child missed crucial literacy building blocks that would have helped prepare him for the next grade. With the Steven Carter Tutoring Program, my son has made tremendous progress in his literacy skills and development.” Through Steven Carter, parents can find a quality, vetted tutor who has the qualifications to help children gain the skills they may be lacking. The Steve Carter Program is designed to assist students who are below grade level in reading or math and aims to provide additional support to help them catch up.

THE PATH TO LITERACY EXCELLENCE
Current literacy data reveals that while there has been notable progress, significant challenges remain. The most substantial gains have been observed among kindergarten and first-grade students, who have benefited most from recent improvements. However, the shift from second to third grade continues to be a critical period, often marked by a decline in reading proficiency. This shift is attributed to the increased expectation that students transition from learning to read to reading to learn by the end of third grade.

“We have a comprehensive literacy plan as a state and there has been a lot of momentum around this literacy work,” says Dr. Chiasson. “Educators and policymakers have come together to make these improvements in classrooms. It’s an exciting time to be in Louisiana. We’ve seen some steady progress and we have to stay the course if we want to see this progress continue.”