Louisiana

Grow. Achieve. Thrive. – Louisiana’s New K-12 Accountability System

Big changes are coming to Louisiana’s K-12 education landscape. In June 2024, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approved a new statewide accountability system that will go into effect in the 2025–2026 school year. The goal? To better capture what matters most: how much students are learning, how well schools are supporting all learners, and whether students are prepared to succeed after graduation.

For the first time, Louisiana’s accountability system will evaluate schools across three core pillars: Grow, Achieve, and Thrive. This marks a major shift from a system once centered solely on proficiency to one that embraces a broader, more holistic view of student success.

Why the Change?

Louisiana was one of the first states to adopt an accountability system tied to academic performance. For decades, school performance scores (SPS) have largely reflected a single factor: how many students were “proficient” on state tests.

While this gave some insight into school quality, it overlooked two critical pieces: how much students were growing, and whether they were prepared for life after high school. Many educators, school leaders, and policymakers called for a system that recognized growth and rewarded schools for moving all students forward, especially those starting behind.

The new Grow. Achieve. Thrive. framework is the answer to that call. It reflects the realities of today’s classrooms and gives credit where it’s due: to schools and districts making meaningful progress with every student.

What Is Actually Changing?

Beginning in 2025–2026, schools will be evaluated on 12 specific indicators, grouped into three categories:

GROW – Measuring Student Progress

Growth is no longer just a bonus—it’s a central part of the evaluation. This means schools will now be recognized for helping students who may not yet be proficient, but are making real academic gains year over year.

  • Overall student growth on LEAP 2025 assessments across subjects
  • Targeted growth for the lowest-performing 25% of students
  • Progress among English Learners (ELs) based on English language proficiency and academic progress

ACHIEVE – Measuring Academic Proficiency

Proficiency remains a key metric, which is a familiar measure for most schools, but now it works alongside growth to provide a fuller picture of performance.

  • Percentage of students reaching proficiency on LEAP 2025 assessments

THRIVE – Measuring College, Career, and Life Readiness

This is where Louisiana’s system really evolves. “Thrive” reflects the broader mission of K–12 education: to prepare students for the future, whatever that path may be.

  • Graduation rates
  • Percentage of students earning qualifying scores on CCR assessments: ACT®, SAT®, WorkKeys, ASVAB, and CLT
  • Postsecondary readiness: Enrollment in college, career training programs, or the military

Overall Letter Grades

Each school will continue to receive an overall letter grade: A through F, based on performance across the three pillars. This includes:

Timeline of Changes

  • June 2024: Accountability system approved by BESE
  • 2025–2026 School Year: New model takes effect
  • Fall 2026: First round of school performance scores released using new indicators

What Can Districts Do to Prepare?

With the first accountability results under this system expected in 2026, now is the time for school and district leaders to take stock of their instructional tools and strategies. 

Here are four key focus areas, and how Progress Learning can support each one:

1. Accelerate Growth for All Students

Louisiana’s new model places a strong emphasis on individual growth, especially for the students who need the most support.

How Progress Learning Helps:

2. Strengthen Standards Mastery and LEAP Readiness

Academic achievement, defined as reaching proficiency, still matters.

How Progress Learning Helps:

  • Our practice questions, instructional videos, and study plans are 100% aligned to the Louisiana Student Standards.
  • Weekly, monthly, and benchmark assessments mirror the format and rigor of LEAP 2025.
  • Built-in remediation ensures students get a second (or third) shot at mastering tough concepts.

3. Expand College and Career Readiness Pathways

Whether students are college-bound, entering the workforce, or joining the military, they need strong foundational skills and access to aligned preparation.

How Progress Learning Helps:

  • We provide comprehensive prep for ACT®, SAT®, ASVAB, and WorkKeys, helping high school students prepare for whichever CCR assessment they choose.
  • Tools support practice with real-world application – critical thinking, test-taking strategies, and career-aligned content.
  • Flexible enough to support CCR initiatives across all types of Louisiana high schools.

4. Implement Efficiently and Affordably

As districts adopt new instructional strategies to meet the accountability shift, cost and logistics matter.

What Makes Progress Learning Different:

  • Flat-rate campus pricing – no per-student fees, making it especially cost-effective for larger campuses
  • Easy to scale across schools and grade levels
  • Supported by federal and state funding sources like Title I, ESSER, and state intervention initiatives

How to Pay for This Support

Progress Learning is eligible for a wide range of Louisiana state and federal funding options, including:

  • State and Local Funding Sources
      • CTE 6 Percent Funds
      • Career Development Fund (CDF)
      • Supplemental Course Allocation (SCA)
      • Perkins V Grant
      • TOPS Tech Early Start
  • Federal Funding Sources
    • Title I: Supports students in low-income areas and can fund intervention and remediation tools
    • Title IV: Can support student engagement, college and career readiness, and technology-based learning tools
    • Title V: Provides funding for rural and small schools with flexibility to use funds for academic improvement

The Path Forward for Louisiana Educators

The Grow. Achieve. Thrive. framework is more than a new accountability model. It’s a call to action. It asks educators to reimagine what student success looks like and to embrace a system that values growth, celebrates progress, and supports readiness for whatever comes next.

At Progress Learning, we’re proud to support Louisiana parishes and school districts as they take on this challenge. Whether it’s boosting LEAP scores, identifying learning gaps, preparing students for CCR exams, or supporting underserved populations, we’re here to help.

Let’s grow. Let’s achieve. Let’s thrive — together.

Interested in how Progress Learning can help your school meet its goals? Get a quote below.

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