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5 Seismic Shifts: What Louisiana’s Department Of Education Is Changing For The 2025-2026 School Year

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As of December 19, 2025, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is undergoing one of the most significant structural shifts in recent memory, moving away from old metrics and doubling down on foundational skills. The focus is clear: a "back to basics" approach that has already yielded a fourth consecutive year of statewide academic improvement, according to the latest performance scores. These changes, largely centered around a new accountability framework and massive investments in literacy, are set to redefine the educational landscape for students, teachers, and administrators across the state for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond. The core of this transformation involves streamlining complex evaluation methods and injecting millions into targeted student support programs. From a new, simplified school grading system—dubbed "Grow. Achieve. Thrive."—to a major reduction in high school testing requirements, the LDOE is prioritizing clarity, efficiency, and measurable student growth. Understanding these key initiatives is essential for anyone involved in Louisiana's public school system, as they dictate everything from classroom focus to state funding priorities.

LDOE Leadership and Fiscal Year 2025 Profile

The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is the state agency responsible for overseeing and improving public education for over 700,000 students across 64 parishes.

Biography of State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley

  • Name: Dr. Cade Brumley
  • Current Position: Louisiana State Superintendent of Education
  • Appointment Date: Began serving in 2020
  • Key Philosophy: Implements a "back to basics" approach to education policy, which the LDOE credits with driving historic academic success.
  • Oversight: Works closely with the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to set policy and budget.
  • Noteworthy Initiatives: Championed the "Fast Forward" initiative and the new "Grow. Achieve. Thrive." accountability system.

LDOE Fiscal Snapshot (FY 2025)

The LDOE operates with a substantial financial commitment to the state's students and educators.

  • Fiscal Year 2025 Budget: Over $7.4 billion was allocated to the Department of Education for the fiscal year.
  • Funding Priorities: A significant portion of the budget is directed toward teacher support, curriculum development, and funding for local education agencies (LEAs).

The "Grow. Achieve. Thrive." Accountability Revolution (2025-2026)

One of the most impactful changes coming to Louisiana schools is the complete overhaul of the state's school and district performance evaluation system. Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, the LDOE will transition to the "Grow. Achieve. Thrive." accountability model.

This new system is designed to be a simple, easy-to-understand scorecard, moving away from the complexity of previous metrics. The framework is built around three core expectations for every student and school.

The Three Pillars of the New Accountability Scorecard

The shift aims to provide a clearer picture of school quality for parents and the community, focusing on:

  • Growth: Measuring how much students improve academically from year to year, regardless of their starting point.
  • Achievement: Evaluating student proficiency in core subjects, particularly literacy and math, which are critical foundational skills.
  • Thrive (or Success): Assessing readiness for life after high school, including graduation rates, career readiness, and post-secondary enrollment.

The new accountability system changes how schools and districts are measured, ensuring a focus on both academic achievement and the overall success of the student body.

Massive Investment in Literacy and Student Support Programs

The LDOE has made literacy instruction its top priority, aligning its efforts with the proven methods of the Science of Reading. This focus is backed by significant funding, ensuring that targeted interventions are available, especially for economically disadvantaged students who often face the steepest learning curves.

The $15 Million Literacy Grant and Virtual Tutoring

Louisiana secured a substantial $15 million federal grant specifically to strengthen literacy instruction across the state. This funding is being deployed to connect approximately 4,500 first- and second-grade students with live video or virtual tutoring services. This program aims to close early-grade academic gaps quickly and effectively.

Expansion of the Steve Carter Tutoring Program

For the 2025–2026 school year, the LDOE is matching a $5 million state investment in the Steve Carter Tutoring Program. This $10 million total commitment is a significant boost to providing high-dosage, high-quality tutoring, which has been shown to be one of the most effective tools for accelerating student learning.

Streamlining High School and Driving Career Readiness

Beyond elementary and middle school, the LDOE is also making strategic changes at the high school level, focusing on reducing testing fatigue while simultaneously increasing opportunities for career and college readiness.

Reduction in State Assessments

In a move welcomed by students and educators alike, the LDOE is reducing the number of state assessments required in high school from six to four. This streamlining of the testing experience is intended to free up valuable instructional time and reduce the burden of over-testing, allowing teachers to focus more on deep learning and less on test preparation.

The Fast Forward Initiative

Under the leadership of Superintendent Brumley, the "Fast Forward" initiative is a major effort to redesign high schools. This program ensures that Louisiana students can graduate high school while simultaneously earning valuable industry credentials, associate degrees, or college credit. By integrating career pathways directly into the high school experience, the LDOE is preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce or advanced post-secondary education, creating a more direct and valuable educational outcome.

Louisiana's Educational Trajectory: A Look Ahead

The combination of a simplified accountability model, massive investments in literacy, and a strategic reduction in high-stakes testing paints a picture of a state education system prioritizing foundational skills and practical outcomes. The LDOE's commitment to the Science of Reading and high-dosage tutoring programs reflects a data-driven approach to tackling historic academic challenges. With school performance scores showing statewide improvement for the fourth consecutive year, the LDOE is positioned to build on this momentum, making the 2025-2026 school year a pivotal moment for Louisiana's educational future.

5 Seismic Shifts: What Louisiana’s Department of Education Is Changing for the 2025-2026 School Year
louisiana department of education
louisiana department of education

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