Louisiana
U.S.
Rank
Rank
#24
Overall PPI Score: 70.3%
An early adopter of education freedom, the Bayou State's efforts to give parents power is considerably limited given the need. Fewer than a third of all students are proficient in major subjects and among low-income students, the challenges are even greater. With laws on the books to give parents choices, and a willing legislature, expansion isn't that big a lift.
Opportunity
Innovation
Policy Environment
Charter Schools
Score
78%
Grade: C
Rank: #22
Most of the state's charters are in the Big Easy, including Louisiana Key Academy, recognized as a 2021 Yass Prize finalist, a school dedicated to supporting students with dyslexia. Charters saved education in Nola after Hurricane Katrina and many districts...
Transformational Learning
Score
55%
Grade: F
Rank: #50
Louisiana supports dual enrollment and CTE credentialing and industry-recognized certifications. The state also has a legal framework for Innovation schools and emphasizes mastery-based learning principles through its “Blueprint for Innovation.”
Leadership
Governor Jeff Landry has fulfilled his campaign commitment to promote and expand the state's parental choice programs by signing the Giving All a True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) ESA legislation into law in 2024. This landmark program reflects his...
Choice Programs (Scholarships, Vouchers, Tax Credits, etc.)
Score
68%
Grade: D
Rank: #22
Once one of the early adopters of a voucher program, the Pelican State in 2024 expanded its educational choice offerings to include a new ESA program, which will eventually be available to all students across the state, dependent on state appropriations,...
DID YOU KNOW?
States whose opportunity programs ensure more equitable per-pupil funding and do not restrict eligibility to certain groups of students score higher on PPI!. There are only 3 states - Florida, Arizona, and Indiana - where this applies.
Transparency
School report cards are easily accessed on Louisiana’s Department of Education website, under the "Measuring Results” section. Report cards are extremely easy to navigate and include detailed information on academic offerings, after school opportunities,...
Teacher Quality
One of many data points to assess whether a state has the right policies in place to ensure teacher quality is the "use of student achievement data in teacher preparation accountability." How empty or full the fuel tank above is will give you the answer for your state.
Fast Facts:
4th Grade Math Proficiency: 27%
8th Grade Math Proficiency: 19%
4th Grade Reading Proficiency: 28%
8th Grade Reading Proficiency: 27%
Average SAT Score: 1194 / 1600
Average ACT Score: 18.2 / 36
Graduation Rate: 91.9%
Constitutional Issues
Both tax credit and voucher programs are consistent with the Louisiana Constitution, which does not contain a Blaine Amendment, but it does contain parallel language to the federal Constitution's Religion Clauses. In a 2018 ruling, the Louisiana Supreme...