Louisiana achieves highest ranking yet in U.S. News & World Report education ratings

Louisiana has reached its highest-ever position in the U.S. News & World Report Best States rankings for Pre-K–12 education, now standing at 37th nationwide, up from 40th last year. This marks the third consecutive year of improvement for the state.

"Louisiana is the most rapidly improving state in the country when it comes to education," stated Louisiana State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. He attributed this progress to "intentional strategy, focused instruction, and the hard work of educators, students, and parents across our state."

The Pre-K–12 education rankings are a component of the overall Best States rankings. They include factors such as The Nation’s Report Card scores—particularly 8th grade performance—preschool metrics, high school graduation rates, and college readiness.

In recent years, Louisiana has made significant strides in educational reforms by implementing strategies like the Science of Reading, enhancing foundational math programs, providing high-dosage tutoring support to students who need it, promoting the teaching profession, and broadening educational choices for families.

Earlier this year in January, Louisiana students achieved their highest-ever scores on The Nation’s Report Card for 4th and 8th grade reading and math. The state's average ranking rose to 32nd from 49th in 2019. Notably:

- In 4th grade reading: improved from 50th (2019) to 16th (2024).

- In 4th grade math: improved from 50th to 38th.

- In 8th grade reading: improved from 45th to 29th.

- In 8th grade math: improved from 49th to 43rd.

Louisiana's fourth graders led nationally in reading growth for two consecutive assessment cycles and ranked among the top five for math growth. Eighth-grade math scores also showed improvement with Louisiana being one of only fourteen states that posted gains. Additionally, students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students surpassed national averages in both achievement and growth.

In February, a joint study by Harvard and Stanford placed Louisiana first nationally for reading recovery and second for math on the Education Recovery Scorecard. It was also noted as the only state where average student performance has fully recovered academically since the pandemic.

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