LAFAYETTE, LA — Louisiana has emerged as the national leader in academic recovery, with the state ranking first in reading and second in math, according to the latest Education Recovery Scorecard, a study conducted by Harvard and Stanford University. The report, released on February 11, highlights the state’s remarkable progress in recovering from pandemic-related learning disruptions, placing Louisiana ahead of other states in key academic subjects.
The Education Recovery Scorecard, which tracks student growth in reading and math from 2019 to 2024, revealed that Louisiana is the only state where the average student has fully recovered from pandemic-induced learning losses. Furthermore, Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS) students showed exceptional growth, surpassing pre-pandemic achievement levels by 40% in math and 75% in reading.
In response to the report, LPSS Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr. praised the efforts of local educators and students. “Lafayette Parish’s academic recovery outpaces other districts in the state and nation, in part, because we worked diligently during and immediately following the pandemic to keep students in the classroom,” said Touchet. “Face-to-face learning is essential to student growth, and our commitment to in-person instruction has been a key factor in helping students not only recover but surpass pre-pandemic achievement levels.”
Louisiana’s achievement is particularly noteworthy as it stands as the only state where recovery has been fully realized. The state outpaced the national recovery rate in both math and reading, with an average recovery rate of 2% in math and 28% in reading, compared to the broader national trends.
Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana’s State Superintendent of Education, also commended the state’s performance. “Louisiana’s academic progress reflects a focus on fundamental skills and strong educator support,” he said. “There is a lot to be proud of in this latest report, and our work continues. There are still too many Louisiana students who can’t read on grade level, can’t do basic math, and who don’t attend school on a regular basis.”
The Education Recovery Scorecard attributes Louisiana’s success to targeted interventions and investments, particularly in pandemic-related funding. Initiatives like summer learning programs and tutoring have played a key role in boosting student performance across the state. However, the report also notes that chronic absenteeism continues to slow recovery in some districts, highlighting the importance of consistent student attendance.
The release of the Education Recovery Scorecard comes less than two weeks after Louisiana students achieved their highest-ever rankings on The Nation’s Report Card, reinforcing the state’s commitment to educational excellence. The report from Harvard and Stanford also shows that Louisiana’s average reading achievement was above pre-pandemic levels in 2023, with students recovering nearly half of their math losses—an accomplishment deemed “remarkable” given that many other states have only recouped a third of their original losses.
As Louisiana continues its efforts to build on these gains, the state’s focus on academic recovery remains strong. With a combination of effective funding, educator support, and in-person learning, Louisiana is setting a national standard for overcoming the educational challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.